Youth Theatre
The Miller Youth Theatre meets every Monday in the studio behind the theatre and is for young people aged 8 to 16. The focus is to broaden young people’s theatre skills which can include improvisation, physical theatre, script work, devising, acting technique and performance. Through practice, our aim is to work collectively as a theatre company whilst developing individual talent and self-confidence.
The Miller Youth Theatre has regular performances: a writer showcase for the family in the studio and a summer production in the main theatre. There are also opportunities for members to be involved with the Miller Theatre Company productions.
Juniors (8-12 years): Mondays 4.45pm – 6.10pm
Seniors (13-18 years): Mondays 6.15pm – 7.45pm
Cost is £70 per term, plus £21 (annual youth membership of the theatre company). For information about joining please contact Vicky Bovingdon on 07723 014723 or
Previous Productions
THE CANTERVILLE GHOST
by Tim Kelly, adapted from the book by Oscar Wilde
19 & 20 July 2024
Join the Young Players this July for a comedy adaptation of the well known story by Oscar Wilde.
An average American family acquires historic old Canterville Chase – complete with ghost! Sir Simon, the sporting spirit, succeeds in making life miserable. Then the Americans strike back. Pam and Wendy, daughters of the new owners, attack the poor ghost with cans of hairspray and deodorant! Sir Simon feels this is hardly fair, so he enlists the aid of some friends: Hester the Horrid, Lady Joan the Graveless, the Vampire Duchess, and other things that go bump in the night. Life is hectic and fantastically funny around Canterville Chase until the real solution to the problem of the galloping ghost is discovered.
The Miller Centre Young Players (aged 8 to 18) take over the main stage at the Miller for their 10th Summer Production. This year’s fun-filled play has echoes of the BBC comedy series, Ghosts – although Oscar Wilde was there first, having written this story in 1887.
ROMEO AND JULIET
by William Shakespeare
21 & 22 July 2023
You’ll find yourself in the middle of a market brawl between two households, rivals in the cut-throat world of competing coffee shops! It’s fun and energetic with all the conflict and romance you’d expect to find in this play.
Our protagonists find themselves in a tricky situation, so Romeo goes to seek some friendly advice from Friars the local barbers. The play takes a deadly turn for our lovers when an extremely important letter goes missing (rumour has it that the nurse used it to throw away her chewing gum!), leaving our piano playing hero, Romeo, with no choice other than to visit the dodgy owner of Superdrug to help him.
JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH
by Roald Dahl, adapted by Richard George
15 & 16 July 2022
A magical peach! An imprisoned boy! Insect friends! An incredible journey! This amazing adventure of James Henry Trotter will fulfil the fantasy of anyone who has ever dreamed of escape. Roald Dahl’s story comes hilariously to life in this delightful dramatisation that reveals the wickedness of some, the goodness of others, and the indecision encountered by many when they are faced with crises. You will see James (as he cleverly gets the Peach out of danger), the wise Old-Green-Grasshopper and the pessimistic Earthworm. You will also see James’ mean Aunt Spiker and cruel Aunt Sponge come to a suitably sticky end. The action is tied together by the Narrator, a storyteller, motivator, MC and audience friend.
ROBIN HOOD
Based on the book The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle. Adapted for the stage by Michael Marrone
30 & 31 July 2021
Heroic beginnings. Epic battles. Daring rescues. Bumbling henchmen. First love. This new telling of Nottingham’s most famous outlaw has it all! Forced into exile in Sherwood Forest, the young Robin of Locksley learns to become a leader of an outlaw band dedicated to resisting the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. It’s all merry adventures and celebratory dances until the Sheriff strikes a devastating blow to the young rebels and forces Robin to make a difficult decision. Can he be the hero that Nottingham needs… even if it means losing his life?
William Shakespeare's TWELFTH NIGHT
Adapted by Vicky Bovingdon
19 & 20 July 2019
Yet again, the Young Players will perform our season finale. This year they will be tackling Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, which promises to be lots of fun.
You will be transported to a beach resort called Illyria where you’ll find yourselves listening to Oasis, Take That and the Spice Girls! Yes, that’s right! The play is set in the 90s on an under 18s holiday island. Ah, bliss! Join us in Club Illyria where you’ll witness wild parties hosted by DJ Sir Toby Belch, sophisticated gatherings on Orsino’s yacht and a love triangle caused by shipwrecked Viola (who decides that dressing in her missing twin brother’s clothes and calling herself Cesario were good ideas!) Amidst this mayhem we find poor Olivia who falls in love with Cesario, or is it Viola? This is a wonderful Shakespearean comedy that we know all the family will enjoy!
COLLECTED GRIMM TALES
by Grimm Brothers, Tim Supple, Carol Ann Duffy
21 & 22 July 2018
The Grimm tales are an enchanting collection of stories well known to children and adults alike. This production revisits the most popular and famous collection of folktales in the world and brings them together into one exciting performance. The Young Players will perform Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Cap (Little Red Riding Hood), Ashputtel (Cinderella), The Golden Goose, Snow White and Rumpelstiltskin. Tim Supple’s dramatisation enables us to retell the stories in a unique style. You’ll feel like you’ve entered a construction site where the stories are told by young actors in hard hats & dungarees! “The stage is the setting, the atmosphere of the stories is the cement, and the audience’s imagination provides the rest”. It promises to be an unforgettable evening of magic and creativity from a very talented cast of young actors.
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