Llandudno Youth Music Theatre

Philip Jones, a Rotarian in the Llandudno Club, together with his wife, Margaret, his sister Beryl and his friend Glyn founded the Llandudno Youth Music Theatre (LYMT) in 1978. It is one of the longest established youth music theatres in Wales. The group is a registered charity 701723 and is run on a voluntary basis relying on membership fees, donations and ticket sales to cover costs.

 LYMT members performed their first concert at Llandudno Town Hall in December 1978 followed by their first musical in September 1979 - Anne of Green Gables - again at Llandudno Town Hall.

 Philip smiles as he still remembers all these years later that it cost £391 to produce, a far cry from the thousands of pounds needed for a modern-day production.

 In the last 38 years innumerable children and young people have discovered the magic of "I can!" through the medium of LYMT and Philip will stress that whilst the vast majority of its members have gone on to careers that are not particularly related to the stage, the confidence and the sheer fun of being involved has so often been a welcome ingredient of their journey into adulthood.

 "Aida" by Elton John and Tim Rice had never been professionally staged in the UK and so it was on the shoulders of this youth company to bring us, in 2014, the North Wales amateur premier and many of the audience's first viewing of this great show. LYMT is clearly an exceptional training ground for any young talent.

 A report from the National Operatic and Drama Association (NODA) on LYMT's 2013 production said "The Sound of Musicals II" featured some of their past members who are now West End professionals. The faces change but the production line of young talent continues unabated.  The enthusiasm generated by Philip and Margaret, Ian Wilson and the stalwarts of the group attracts as much appeal to the members of LYMT today as that of their predecessors, some of whom returned to participate in this fun filled evening. The show consisted of songs from the musicals, the vast majority of which had not even been written when LYMT was formed in March 1978.

 Following the opening night of their latest production a musical called "13", at Theatr Colwyn on Friday 7th February 2016, Philip and Margaret each received a Paul Harris Fellowship.  They were nominated by the President of the Llandudno Club, Mike Clutton, and the awards were presented to them by Assistant Governor, Rotary District 1180, Beryl Cotton, for the work they have undertaken in the last 38 years and its immense value to the community of Llandudno and its environs.

 The presentation was greeted with rapturous applause not least from the members of the Llandudno Youth Music Theatre who know, perhaps best of all, that they and their predecessors have been given a platform to express themselves and experience live theatre, team working and a sense of belonging.