THREE aspiring actors from Northern Ireland will perform in a musical take on Gulliver’s Travels at Belfast's Lyric theatre this weekend, having successfully auditioned from more than 1,000 young people.
With the production being presented in association with Youth Music Theatre UK (YMTUK), Evie Marks, from Lisburn, Peter Gildernew, from Newry, and Will McKee from Comber are following in the footsteps of YMTUK alumni Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.
Performances of the musical theatre version of Jonathan Swift's classic tale feature specially commissioned music by Belfast singer-songwriter Duke Special, who has just completed his year as musician-in-residence at the Lyric, with words by comedian Andrew Doyle.
YMTUK offers young people the opportunity to work with established and innovative composers, directors and choreographers; this year's company is made up of 300 young performers and musicians.
“The cast of young people, aged 11-21 years, are extremely talented individuals who will join a team of renowned creative professionals from Northern Ireland including director Des Kennedy from west Belfast and choreographer Jennifer Rooney from Downpatrick with music by Duke Special," YMTUK executive producer Jon Bromwich said.
YMTUK’s production of Gulliver’s Travels is commissioned with support from Arts Council Northern Ireland.
:: Performances July 28-30; see lyrictheatre.co.uk for tickets.
Watch a preview:
