Last weekend, our talented Brewery Youth Theatre 14+ group (BYT) travelled to Keswick to perform as part of Cumbria’s National Theatre Connections Festival. They presented their powerful rendition of Sean Buckley’s The Animals, alongside two other youth theatre groups from across the region.
From Studio to Stage
Earlier this year, BYT performed The Animals in the Malt Room at Brewery Arts to a live audience, followed by a feedback session with a National Theatre Representative exploring the play’s key themes.
The Animals is a bruising, moving and surprising drama that explores education within the youth custody system and the transformative power of creativity. These complex themes were handled with care and confidence, resulting in a performance that was both impactful and thought-provoking.
A Valuable Stage Experience
On Saturday 25 April, the group arrived at Theatre by the Lake bright and early, accompanied by the Brewery Arts Youth Theatre Tutor, as well as our Learning & Engagement Manager Rebecca Stephen-Denby. The day offered a full programme of activity, including workshops on voice and performance intention, a technical rehearsal, and the final performance.
They were joined by young performers from Carlisle Youth Zone and Keswick School, creating a vibrant and supportive atmosphere throughout the day.
A highlight of the experience came during the evening performance, when the play’s writer, Sean Buckley, surprised the group by attending in person. BYT had the opportunity to meet him during the interval and have their scripts signed – a memorable moment for everyone involved.
Our Learning & Engagement Manager Rebecca Stephen-Denby said:
“I am incredibly proud of BYT for their bold and confident performance. The group told the story with power, integrity and true creative investment. The work was fantastically directed by our Brewery Arts Youth Theatre Tutor, who also facilitates the sessions.”
Reflections from BYT attendees
“I really enjoyed my time performing and learning the script. It really helped me as an actor to develop my skills. It was an amazing experience and I bonded a lot with the people in my group. I would absolutely recommend it to any young people to get involved. I just loved my experience and I thought the play was really good too”
“It was really valuable to meet other people and learn from the workshops and get to perform”
“One of the best opportunities of my life. It has just been overall amazing”
“Honestly, it was absolutely electric. I loved every single minute of it. It was brilliant”
“I really enjoyed the creative process and getting to perform on different stages in different environments.”
What’s Next?
The group’s journey doesn’t stop there. All three Brewery Youth Theatre groups will take to the stage for their summer production, Love and Hope, on 25 June. This special performance brings together the stories explored throughout the year, each woven with themes of connection, resilience and optimism.
Join Our Brewery Youth Community
Brewery Youth Theatre runs throughout the year – get in touch with boxoffice@breweryarts.co.uk to find out more and book a place.
Our popular Youth Summer Camps are back for 2026, offering exciting opportunities for young people to get creative, build confidence and make new friends.
Performance Unleashed Summer Camp (Ages 7-14)
3-7 August
An action-packed week of dance and drama, culminating in a performance on the Brewery Arts stage.
Arts Unleashed Summer Camp (Ages 7-14)
10-14 August
A hands-on week of visual art and craft activities — perfect for creative expression and trying something new.
If you’d like to find out more about our Performing Arts classes and performance opportunities, click here.
