British Youth Music Theatre: Glitzy party marks arts organisation's historic move from London to Leeds
Celebrations were held as top performing arts organisation British Youth Music Theatre was welcomed into its new home in Leeds.
It was announced in 2023 that the group would be moving out of London as part of Arts Council England’s Transfer programme.
And this week, the organisation’s arrival in Leeds was made official with a glitzy party featuring performances from alumni.
Based at Yorkshire Dance, it is hoped the British Youth Music Theatre’s (BYMT) new headquarters will allow for good access to partners and young participants in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as across England.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin was among those to welcome BYMT at a special event. She said: “I’m delighted to welcome British Youth Music Theatre to its new home in West Yorkshire - the place to be for the creative industries and culture.
“We’re building a region of learning and creativity to provide more opportunities for young people to follow their passions and thrive. This will help us to grow our economy in a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
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The evening, hosted by long-term collaborator Leeds Conservatoire, concluded with performances from BYMT alumnus and West End performer Luke Bayer, from the musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Dozens of undergraduate students from the conservatoire’s musical theatre course also performed.
“BYMT feels so welcomed to West Yorkshire and this event highlighted the vibrancy of the local cultural sector and celebrated the strength of BYMT’s partnership with Leeds Conservatoire,” said BYMT Creative Director Emily Gray.
“Since 2021 we have been developing musicals together and we hold the shared vision of a space for young people to contribute to the rapidly evolving new music theatre sector.
“It was an honour and joy to work with Leeds Conservatoire students and BYMT alumni to perform material from the past 20 years of BYMT and its future season in 2025.
“The guests heard songs being performed for the first time ever in front of an audience and felt the creative energy of young people inventing the musicals of the future.
“The Mayor gave an inspirational speech about the importance of the performing arts reaching all young people in West Yorkshire and we look forward to connecting with more schools, artists and audiences in Yorkshire over the coming years.”
Leeds Conservatoire Vice Principal Patsy Gilbert said: “British Youth Music Theatre has been involved with our programmes for a few years now. When we heard they were planning to move their operations out of London, we knew that they had to come to Leeds.
“Our Musical Theatre programmes are growing in reputation and the opportunity to work more closely with a national organisation whose purpose is in the promotion and support of the artform is so aligned to our own goals.
“What truly links us is a desire to develop new musical theatre which tells the stories of those often unheard, unseen or underrepresented.
“We believe that by working in partnership we can forge ahead in this world together, not only by trying to speak about the lived experiences of others, but to truly embrace, encourage, collaborate and listen to them in developing this artform that we all truly love; doing this all with the next generation of artists, theatre makers and storytellers.”