KORCZAK Plays Rose Theater Kingston August 31-September 3

This new production of the Theatre Royal Plymouth's critically acclaimed KORCZAK will play at at the Rose Theatre Kingston from 31 August to 3 September. The show has book, lyrics and direction by Nick Stimson, KORCZAK has music by Chris Williams and choreography by Yael Loewenstein. The production, which is the biggest show in YMT's history, will feature West End star Peter Straker together with a talented company of 40 young people, aged 11-21, of Youth Music Theatre UK (YMT).

Warsaw 1942 - "The very stones of the street wept...."

The musical is based on the true story of Janusz Korczak; children's doctor, writer and broadcaster and a Polish Jew in a world rife with anti-semitism. Korczak built orphanages based on tolerance, love and understanding. When the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939, Korczak and the children were herded into the infamous Ghetto.

In 1942 they were sent to the gas chambers of Treblinka. They marched with dignity, heads held high, flag flying, and singing. This is the story not only of Korczak but of the young people in his care; their hopes, their fears and their loves. Not a story of despair but of inspiration and hope; the victory of the spirit over death itself.

Performers and musicians are supported by West End professionals and this production has design by Liz Cooke with musical direction by Jon Laird.

Peter Straker's first major theatre role was in 1968 when he starred as ‘Hud' in the original London production of "Hair". Since then, he has starred in a host of famous productions including "The Phantom of the Opera", "Tommy" and most recently in Josette Bushell-Mingo's production of "The Wiz". His recording career has included notable collaborations with The Alan Parsons Project and on Freddie Mercury's Barcelona with Montserrat Caballe. He has also recorded four solo albums, two of which were produced by Freddie Mercury.

YMT is the UK's leading national organisation providing musical theatre activities for young people across the UK, linking young people from their local/regional productions into formal training at drama school. The company is supported by Arts Council England, the Department for Education and Youth Music who fund YMT as the one of the nine National Youth Music Organisations (NYMOs). The company runs a wide range of residential courses and, from entry level skills workshops to high quality new productions run by leading industry professionals. It commissions more music theatre than any other UK arts organisation and plays a significant role in the development of the artform.

YMT's patrons are Zoe Wannamaker, Rob Bryden and Peter Duncan.

YMT have a great track record and their recent alumni include Ed Sheeran (whose debut single The A Team just reached number 3 in the charts), Lauren Samuels (a recent ‘Sandy' in the West End production of "Grease"), Scott Haining (‘Nate' in "Waterloo Road"), Jos Slovick and Elliot Francis (original London cast of "Spring Awakening"), Jamie Muscato ("Les Miserables" 25th Anniversary tour) and Antony Hansen (recently in "Wicked").

Every year YMT reach up to 2,000 young people to create the very best work and to give every participant a unique and valuable experience. 350 are also chosen from auditions to take part in their Summer Productions.

KORCZAK plays from 31 August-3 September
Rose Theatre Kingston, 24-26 High Street, Kingston Upon Thames, KT1 1HL
Box Office: 08444 821 556 www.rosetheatrekingston.org

www.youthmusictheatreuk.org