BYMT 20th Anniversary Gala Night.

On Monday 8 July, BYMT (British Youth Music Theatre) celebrated its 20th Anniversary with a gala hosted by BYMT alumnus Lewis Cornay from (Spongebob Squarepants) to a sell-out audience at The Other Palace.

During the event, BYMT revealed that BYMT alumni member and West End performer Grace Mouat from (Six, Mean Girls, &Juliet) is the company’s new patron. Grace then brought the house down with a performance from BYMT’s musical Angry Salmon (composer: Paul Jordan Clarke), where she was joined by performers from BYMT’s current young company.

The gala took place on the stage at The Other Palace which is currently the set for Babies (originally commissioned and produced by BYMT in 2021). Writer Martha Geelan and composer Jack Godfrey performed “Without Saying Goodbye” from the show. Martha Geelan spoke about the invaluable impact BYMT had on the development of the show, including winning BYMT’s NMTA (New Musical Theatre Award) and the opportunity to workshop with teenagers.

Further performances included BYMT alumni reprising roles from some of the 120 new musicals BYMT has commissioned across two decades, including:
• Ryan Heenan (Jersey Boys, Back to the Future) performing a number from Oliver nominated BYMT show Loserville (composer: James Bourne);
• Kayleigh McKnight (Six) and BYMT young company in a medley from Frankenstein (composer: Jimmy Jewell);
• Bethany Tennick (writer, with Iona Ramsay, of NMTA winner and 2024 BYMT show Welcome to Serene) singing Suspicion from Red Hunter (composer: Tim Sutton);
• Performers from BYMT’s 2024 season singing We Can Change the Rules from Jabberwocky (composer: Rebecca Applin).
• Dancer/Choreographer Christopher Tendai (Closer to Heaven) introducing young company members performing movement to his BYMT summer show Wonderland in Alice (composer: Meg McGrady).

Emily Gray, BYMT Creative Director: “It was wonderful to celebrate BYMT’s success with so many people and appreciate the company’s impact on the musical theatre industry, from training the current generation of musical theatre stars to inspiring young people to reach their potential. The audience response was overwhelming, particularly when our alumni performed with current young company members. A particular highlight was BYMT alumna Grace Mouat singing “Any Day Now” from Angry Salmon.

Mouat is a brilliant performer, role model and friend to BYMT. Mouat is committed to working in new musicals and generously giving back to the company and community of BYMT. We wholeheartedly welcome her as our new patron and look forward to the future.

The event would not have been possible without the support of BYMT’s sponsors, including headline sponsor Theatrical Rights Worldwide, Broadway Licensing Global, Music Theatre International, Surveyors to Education, The Agency, Music Box and Music & Drama Education Expo, each dedicated to supporting new music theatre and the pipeline of young talent so vital to the future of the sector.

During its 20th anniversary season, BYMT are producing seven brand new shows and developing another seven new musical theatre ideas in week-long development camps. The season began in April with Animal Farm (Birmingham Hippodrome) and continues with All Growed Up (2-4 Aug, Lyric Theatre, Belfast), Unbound (16-18 Aug, Birmingham Hippodrome), Wonderland in Alice (16-17 Aug, Octagon Theatre, Bolton), The Power of Camelot (23-24 Aug, Exeter Northcott Theatre), Welcome to Serene (30-31 Aug, The New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich), When We Strike (30-31 Aug, Southwark Playhouse, Elephant, London).