dancers

The Story of NEWTS

NEWTS is the name we have given to our junior section which has been in existence in its present form for 25 years.

The group is made up of approximately 50 youngsters between the ages of 8 and 17 years who are given the opportunity to sing and do movement at our rehearsal room, The Green Rooms, at the end of Fisher Road in Newton Abbot on Friday evenings during term times.

The group was started by Val Chapman and John Amery and is now run by Claire Holden with the assistance of other society members.

Over the years the NEWTS have put on many successful productions ranging from ‘Alice’ – based on Alice in Wonderland – through to ‘Bugsy Malone’ and a spectacular production of ‘The Boyfriend’. These musicals were originally performed in the Dyrons Creative Arts Centre but latterly the NEWTS have been able to use the full facilities of The Alexandra Theatre. NEWTS productions are entirely performed by the youngsters with the adult supervision of the production team.

NEWTS last major production was Oliver in May 2019. This very successful production had a cast of 40 youngsters between 8 and 17 years of age.

Famous Members!

jon-leeSeveral past NEWTS members have gone on to work in professional theatre including; Damelza Randell (Fingersmith, TV drama), Dylan Turner (Chicago touring production and the film version of Mama Mia, plus Rock of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre), Kevin Woolway (senior lighting technician working on Phantom of the Opera, previously on Matilda,Chicago,Joseph and Evita), and Jon Lee (Oliver, Les Miserables, and of course S Club Seven and recently starred as Frankie Valli in The Jersey Boys at the Prince Edward Theatre).

Our latest ‘loan’ to the West End is Harry Churchill who followed his brother Charlie in playing Zac in the  professional touring production of ‘School Of Rock’. Harry has also been a contestant on ‘Britian’s Got  Talent’ on ITV and following this he was asked by Brian May of ‘Queen’ to play with him on the stage of the London Palladium in a tribute concert.


 

 


NEWTS LATEST NEWS 

Are now reheasing for SISTER ACT Jr which will take place at the Alexandra Theatre from Monday 6th to Thursday 9th May 2024


 

NEWTS pay a yearly subscription of £7 and weekly subs of £3.00. This enables them to be members of the society and means they are fully covered by our insurance when rehearsing or performing.

NEWTS  have had to close the waiting list for new members as we have over 40 currently waiting-sorry