Report by Claire, aged 14 from Woodway Park School, Coventry
Currently, many talented Coventrians are performing in the West End and on stages all over the world.
Their love for their talent spurs them on and many of them discovered it at the amateur stage groups that are in Coventry at the moment.
Offering everything from mime to dance and music, people over the years have shared magical times, performing to high standards in productions they have worked on for months.
The Coventry Youth Operetta Group (YOG) is one of these.
The Coventry Youth Operetta Group
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| 听 |  | YOG in their production of Annie
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Running since 1972 the Coventry Youth Operetta Group has consistently attracted highly talented 7-21 year olds making it highly successful, not just in Coventry but to audiences from
all over the country.
The writer and composer Lionel Bart (Blitz! And Oliver) was so impressed by YOG's production of Blitz that he offered to become their patron until his sad death a few years ago.
Old yoghurts don't disappear but many stick around either helping to direct or choreograph new shows or just pop in to say hi!
听Having been in YOG for quite a while I know that the social life is an important aspect of the group. Many make friendships that last well after they have left the company.
听Talent isn't enough on its own. Commitment is also important as rehearsals can be demanding and time consuming. It's worth it though as when you hear the first note the orchestra plays you get the best feeling ever! (Nearly as good as taking your bow at the end.)
听| 听 |  | YOG in their production of Crazy For You
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YOG shows its talents through variety and past shows range from 42nd Street to Calamity Jane. The last production was Oliver and I was lucky enough to star as Nancy's friend Bet. I went into total shock when they read out the cast list and my name was called.
I loved being in YOG but having a part was really special to me and I really enjoyed all the rehearsals. It also allowed me to make friends with people I wouldn't usually get to know. That's always good!
听Getting your costumes are always really funny and exciting experiences! Principle roles often have really amazing costumes hired from professional companies like the Royal Shakespeare Company. This costs lots so each seat in the theatre needs to have a bum on it!
So for publicity we appear at different locations around Coventry to sing through some of the numbers. We also get to hand out flyers, which is usually quite amusing.
听Other Coventry companies
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There are many other groups in Coventry that do similar things. David Eden's company runs on similar lines to YOG and adult companies include Guildhall AOS and three spires.
All of these companies require you to audition before you get in which can be nerve wracking but is generally a good experience.
听If you sing like a crow but can turn on the dramatics then the Criterion Theatre offers workshops for youngsters.
If all this seems too much then maybe you should just pop along and watch. If not just keep up singing in the shower!
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