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Talented award-winning youngsters take to stage with latest show
12/08/2022
Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical starts at the Wykham Theatre tonight
Over 40 talented young people aged from 11 to 19 are getting ready for the first performance of their latest stage production this evening. The Youth of Banbury Operatic Society – affectionately known as the YOBOS – will be performing Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical at the Wykham Theatre.
The group reach their 20th anniversary next year and in June were handed a National Operatic and Dramatic Association award for Best Youth Musical for their 2021 production of “In the Heights”.
This weekend’s show is the result of a project to put together a production in just one week during the summer holidays.
Kipps is a reimagining of the classic musical, Half a Sixpence. The show took the West End by storm in 2016, still featuring classic songs from the original such as ‘Flash, Bang, Wallop!’ and ‘Money to Burn’, as well as brand new songs.
Alfie Blackwell stars as Arthur Kipps, a Drapers Assistant at the turn of the last century. He has a chance meeting with Harry Chitterlow, played by Myron Byfield, which leads Arthur to discover that he has received a very large inheritance, boosting his position in society.
Chloe Reilly plays Helen who helps him navigate his new upper-class lifestyle. However, his friends worry that Arthur is being used for his money and is being turned into something he is not.
Ben Coleman, Youth Officer for YOBOS and the director of Kipps, said: “I am continuously impressed by the young people involved in YOBOS but this year they have made me even more proud.
“We have over 40 young people aged 11 to 19 involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. Their dedication and love for theatre represent the need for theatre in our community.
“The young people involved are all just such a pleasure to work with. It is a personal joy of mine to see them fall in love with the theatre and, in many cases, pursue their passion into the professional world.
“Come and see them in Kipps before they make it big in the industry!”
Kipps: The New Half a Sixpence Musical is on this evening (Friday) from 7.30pm with Saturday shows at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. Tickets for this evening have sold out, but a few remain for both shows on Saturday, and are available here.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam