A youth theatre project in the heart of Christchurch
Hwyl Theatre is proud to present a Canterbury wide theatre company for those aged 13-18 who will create a professional level production in one week, in collaboration with The Grange Theatre.
For the last few years, Harry has been working with high school aged students through Canvas Bag Drama’s Holiday Intensives at the Isaac Theatre Royal. While students loved the workshops, the consistent feedback they would get after these three day workshops included:
“We want more days”
“We want more costumes/props/production pieces”
“We want to do a big known show for the public”
“We want a professional show”
With this feedback in mind, Harry and the team developed a program that met all of these needs. They created a program that presented a professional show with high production value, rehearsed over a longer intensive period. Youth theatre that reflects the standards of professional theatre. So, on Monday 20th January 2025, the first company of the Canterbury Youth Theatre walked into the Isaac Theatre Royal to rehearse our inaugural production:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
Those performers, aged between thirteen and eighteen, rehearsed all day in the same way that they would in a professional production. They returned each day that week, which culminated in three performances on Friday 24th January 2025 & Saturday 25th January 2025 at the Altiora venue in the Arts Centre.
The cast of Canterbury Youth Theatre’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream has walked away with confidence in their craft, new friendships and connections, and an increased understanding of what it takes to be a professional actor. This was the first story in our chapter which we followed up with our diesel punk inspired rendition of Julius Caesar in January 2026 performed at Papa Hou’s Black Box Theatre.
We are delighted to invite young performers to come and join us into our next production with our new primary sponsors, The Grange Theatre. The added value of auditions, rehearsals and performances being under one roof is allowing us to take this project to the next level! Without further ado we are so proud to announce our next production, a deep dive into the liminal space and dark world of one of Shakespeare’s most recognisable characters.
Macbeth by William Shakespeare
What should you expect out of this experience?
Our productions are a celebration of the incredible talent of young performers, aged 13 to 18, who have been trained and immersed in the world of the classical theatre. Each actor brings their unique energy and passion to the stage, delivering a performance that captures the youthful spirit of the plays we perform while honoring their classic roots.
But it’s not just the cast that makes this production shine. Our young team has had the opportunity to work closely with industry professionals—directors, performers, and choreographers—who have helped shape visions into something truly special.
Come join us and be amongst the next generation of theatre stars.
Hwyl Theatre 