Flying Ducks Youth Theatre in The Addams Family
FLYING Ducks Youth Theatre will celebrate 30 years of shows, artistic growth, community connections young talent this weekend at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York.
Soaring Through The Years: A 30th Anniversary Celebration will be performed at 1pm and 5pm tomorrow, followed by a 1pm matinee on Sunday.
This milestone event will undertake a captivating journey through three decades of shows, featuring an array of songs and numbers from Return To The Forbidden Planet, West Side Story, Fame The Musical, Grease, Bugsy Malone, High School Musical and more besides that highlight the creativity of the York company’s young performers.
“We are ecstatic to welcome past Flying Ducks alumni as guest performers,” says co-director Jenna Dee. “Some graced the stage with us more than 20 years ago, some are back to showcase the lasting impact Flying Ducks has had on their artistic journeys, reminding us all of the community and friendships formed within these walls.”
Among those alumni will be: Sian Walshaw (nee Sian Davies), who joined the group in 1999; Nicola Murray (nee Nicola Elliot), who joined in 1996; Vicky Dambrauskas. (nee Neap); Dan Lawrence; Henry Bird; Alex Deadman (2000); Dan Killen (2002); Hannah King (2006); Eva Howe (2017) and Mollie Surgenor (2018)
Look out too for performances by directors – and past members – Jenna Dee (2001) and her sister, Sara Howlett (2002).
Jenna took the helm of Flying Ducks in 2018 after returning to York from her time as an actor and facilitator in London. Partnering with Sara, who had been choreographing for the company for many years, they directed their first show together, This Is Me, in March 2019.
Their vibrant musical theatre concert, featuring 22 young performers, received support from founder Stephen Outhwaite and a dedicated committee for set, props, and costumes.
Since then, Jenna and Sara have continued to lead the eldest group, Ducks, for ages 11 to 19, now boasting 45 members. They have directed and produced a variety of book musicals, such as Crush The Musical, Shrek The Musical and The Addams Family.
All of these shows were staged with impressive professional sets designed by founder Stephen Outhwaite, who has still held an incredibly important role within the group.
Excitingly, Flying Ducks are now preparing for their next adventure, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, already in the diary for February 2027.
The growth of Flying Ducks has exceeded all expectations. Jenna, alongside teaching assistant Keelie Newbold, now oversees two Quacks groups for ages four to six and three Ducklings groups for ages seven to ten, bringing the total membership to 140.
The committee behind the group comprises ten volunteers, and together with treasurer Claire Newbold , they ensure the group continues to go from strength to strength.
Flying Ducks Youth Theatre in The Addams Family
“Join us this weekend as we celebrate the past, embrace the present and look forward to the future in a celebration that promises to be truly memorable,” says Jenna.
“Don’t miss this chance to be part of a community that has nurtured creativity and connection for three decades. We can’t wait to see you there!
“It would be great to reach out especially to anyone who had connections with the group as we are hoping to host a reunion with Stephen Outhwaite and past members after the Sunday afternoon show. They can contact us at flyingducksyork@gmail.com if they’d like to come and be a part of it or to attend the reunion.”
Flying Ducks Youth Theatre in Soaring Through The Years: A 30th Anniversary Celebration, June 28, 1pm and 5pm; June 28, 1pm. Box office: 01904 501935 or josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.