The Young Actors Group - Hassocks

Sarah B.

Hi ! My name is Helena and I am a 15 year old young actor. I joined YAG when I was 10 and have loved it ever since. The highlight of the year for me is our Shakespeare play which we perform at BOAT after a week of rehearsals. It's totally AMAZING and one of the best things about my summer holidays. We have just performed Midsummer Night's Dream and I loved every minute. Thank you Ben, Luke, Aaron and Holly, you're the best!

W W.

Summer highlights for me have been the wonderful Shakespeare weeks with the Young Actors Group. This year I played Malvolio in a circus themed Twelfth Night. It was amazing to work with director Luke and share his vision. He certainly helped stretch me. I also very much enjoyed Holly's Charleston dance.

Each year I very much look forward to reading Ben Murry-Watson's script, which always has some witty additions to the orginal. This year I had a lot of fun talking to myself in a mirror, completely failing to do handstands and cartwheels and chasing Malvolio's tricksters around the auditorium.

These productions really bring joy and fun to Shakespeare. Most people's introduction to Shakespeare is preparing for an exam, pouring over a text that was meant to be performed not read. To make a Harry Potter analogy: it is like comparing Umbridge's philosophy of education to actually being allowed to perform the magic of Shakespeare. And Brighton Open Air Theatre is such a special place to perform.

Phil D.

My daughter has been attending the Young Actors Group for the last 4 years or so. In this time Aaron and his team have been amazing, and she has enjoyed every minute. The group activities, and projects (performance, creative and video) have increased her confidence and really allowed her imagination to shine. Highly recommended!

Stephen L. W.

Our young actor Wilfrid Watson has had a whole series of great experiences with Young Actors Group's summer Shakespeare productions at Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT). The YAG productions are friendly and a fun mix of Shakespeare and modern text with interpretations that really appeal to young people. Here is Wilfrid as Malvolio (Twelfth NIght 2022), Macbeth (2021), Caliban (The Tempest 2019), Charles King of France (Henry V 2018) and Hastings (Richard III 2017). The intensive week-long courses ending in a public performance at BOAT really instilled a love of Shakespeare in Wilfrid, who has gone on to tread the boards with the Shakespeare's Globe Young Company.

Clare L.

My daughter loves coming to the Sessions and has made lots of friends there. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming and she is made to feel a valuable member of the group. Luke makes the sessions really good fun with warm up games to start so they are relaxed and happy. My daughter’s confidence in acting has really grown since she has been attending and she has really enjoyed taking part in the end of year play. We have tried out a few acting classes and this is the first one that she has truly enjoyed. The teaching is outstanding and everyone is valued and encouraged to be the best they can be. Very Highly recommended.

Richard K.

We chose YAG for our son as we were impressed with the way it was all set up. The ethos of the group is clear and firmly has the child at its centre. It acts as a good and reassuring focus. Each year mirrors the school terms and each term has its own goal. The group sizes are limited, allowing for more 1-2-1 teaching and gives each child the space to flourish. Our son has loved every minute and has made some very good friends, as well as facing some challenging drama!

Emma C.

Amazing! Aaron has made Arthur (my son) welcome from the moment he walked throught the door. He's been going 18 months now and Monday is his favourite day because of Drama club.
His confidence has grown and he has learnt so much from the group - acting, writing, filiming.
So glad we found The Young Actors Group.

Liz S.

My son has been going to YAG for 5 years and I can't rate it highly enough. Originally attracted by the ethos of the company, the collaborative, supportive and fun environment is brilliant for helping your child to grow and flourish. All the directors have been terrific, the company is friendly and professional and the children have a great time. It is also good for mixing with others outside the school environment from other parts of the city too.