barnfield theatre, exeter | 8-10 August 2025
BY grace o’keefe & thomas F arnold
musical director jacob savage director Mumba dodwell choreographer marina climent designer kritika agarwal
WELCOME
Welcome to BYMT’s 2025 Summer Season, which has been skilfully curated by our Young Company Panel. We are delighted to be returning to Exeter, having enjoyed a successful production last summer at the Northcott, celebrating a shared commitment to creating new work and supporting young people.
The brilliant writing team of Grace and Thomas brought the idea of a Jane Austen adaptation to BYMT, and having never done this before, we talked to our Young People, who leapt at the idea of a Regency style piece with modern sensibilities. We developed the show with a group of astute students at Leeds Conservatoire and they performed the title number at our Welcome to Leeds Event earlier this year. The writers have also tested the material with West End performers and have crafted a choral and multi character version of this timeless story, which is perfect for BYMT.
It has been a privilege to witness the young performers and musicians who have brought this story to life over the past two weeks. Thank you to them and to the freelance creative, technical and pastoral team members who have made this production possible through their commitment to young people’s creativity and safety. I am so grateful to the BYMT staff team, our Board and funders who support the company throughout the year, believing that our projects can and will shape the future of new music theatre.
We delight in creating shows which take inspiration from existing literature, but offer a refreshing interpretation, driven by the desires and energies of the young characters. We hope you enjoy the show!
Emily Gray (Creative Director, BYMT)
the relevance of regency
When we pitched ‘Sense and Sensibility’ to BYMT, they stumped us with a simple question; ‘Why is this story relevant to our young people today?’
We’re incredibly grateful to BYMT for programming the show without us giving a coherent response (we think we waffled about Austen’s novel being ‘timeless’, without really fully understanding what that meant). Thank goodness they did! The greatest joy of this process has been finding answers to this question with the fantastic dramaturgs at BYMT, our incredible creative team and this company of amazing performers.
‘Sense and Sensibility’ is a story of finding stability in turbulent times. Much like our current sociopolitical climate has upended our sense of security, the revolutions of the 18th century upended the tranquility of the gentility. Everyone in this story lives in a state of anxiety, knowing that the usual safety nets are no longer available.
Every trial is also navigated in a heavy public gaze. More than one performer pointed out to us the similarity between the gossip of Regency England and the shame-focussed climate of social media. Elinor and Marianne are 19 and 16, and they must come of age, with everything that entails, while being scrutinised by society.
It’s not all doom and gloom - it is a romance after all! Universal joyous themes of love, community and sisterhood pervade ‘Sense and Sensibility’, and have changed very little since the novel was published. Maybe that’s what we meant by ‘timeless’.
Developing any new musical requires the generosity of a huge number of people. The incredible team at BYMT have been constant mentors and supporters as we developed each draft. The creative team, pastoral team and company have made bringing this show to life such a rewarding, enjoyable and illuminating process. A slew of professional performers outside of BYMT have also left an indelible mark on the show. We won’t list them all, but we are particularly grateful to Rebecca Ridout, Charlotte Clitherow and Daniel Hall.
This year is the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth, and her stories have never been more popular. Thank you for joining us in retelling this one.
Grace O’Keefe and Thomas F Arnold (writers)
About british youth music theatre
We set the stage for motivated young people ready to create their own narrative.
British Youth Music Theatre is a charity built on community. Our young people are at the heart of our work, and involvement extends far beyond performance.
We support 11-21 year olds by equipping them with both the training and opportunities to step into their creative potential. Our workshops, camps and productions provide young people with the resources, guidance and knowledge to develop their skills, and our culture of authenticity, collaboration, and generosity inspires confidence in their abilities.
We don’t believe anyone with creative aspirations should be left behind, and encourage all young people to join our community. Future theatre makers are provided a pathway into the industry through our nurturing process, and we champion the potential of every individual and support the discovery of their unique journey.
thank you to our supporters
FUNDERS
Schroder Charitable Trust
The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation
The Agency
FRIENDS
Alastair Roberts
Barry Anns
Emma Shaw
Helen Page
Kate Suh
Jeff Stratford
Simon Millson
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Lexine Lee
Jimmy Jewell
Roger Jones
Simon Millson (Chair)
Francesca Stuckey Howard
Tim Sawers
Sarah Double
Fern Stoner
Rebecca Nice
Jaimie Brown
We would like to thank the following people for their valuable contribution to our work:
Barnfield Theatre Staff
Nancy Poole PR
Photography by Gemma Smith
Show artwork by Sophia Watts
Videography by Greta Zabulyte
Our Creative Work Placements: Rebecca Joliffe,
Holly Coulson and Zoe Del Carlo
All the Staff at Blundells School
Staff and students at Leeds Conservatoire
3Points
Rebecca Ridout, Charlotte Clitherow and Daniel Hall and all the actors who worked on the script
Aniela Shuckburgh
Phillip Siddle
Lucy Stocks
Francesca Unsworth
ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
Bridget Kalloushi (Finance)
Rachel Victor-Sampson (Inclusivity)
When you donate to British Youth Music Theatre, you’ll be joining our community of theatre lovers who are opening doors for the next generation of artists keeping theatre alive.
Your contribution will make a direct impact on the opportunities available to talented young performers and artists.
MEET THE creative team
GRACE O’KEEFE BOOK, MUSIC & LYRICS
Grace, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, is an award-winning writer. She moved to the UK to study Theatre Directing under Katie Mitchell OBE at Royal Holloway.
Grace co-wrote and stars in Summoning Sondheim, a musical comedy séance that has received 14 four to five star reviews to date and will be heading to 54 Below in New York City in October. Grace directed and co-created the twotime EdFringe sellout Bad Teacher.
Her double act, The Queens of Cups, was awarded Best Newcomer at the Musical Comedy Awards ‘24. Her film and radio credits include BBC Studios and Radio 4.
THOMAS F ARNOLD BOOK, MUSIC, LYRICS & ORCHESTRATIONS
Thomas is a Writer and Offie Award-nominated Musical Supervisor/Director.
As a writer, his credits include The House of Edgar (Seven Dials Playhouse, 2024, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 2016 and 2018, Shortlisted for the ‘Brighton Fringe Newcomer Award’), AroundtheWorldin80Days (Big Little Theatre School, 2022) and Writer’s Block (University of Winchester, 2021).
As a Musical Supervisor/Director, credits include The Musical Medea (Upstairs at the Gatehouse, 2025), FLIP! (University of Winchester, 2025), Jack and the Beanstalk (Lichfield Garrick, 2024 – 2025), The Clockmaker’s Daughter (Big Little Theatre School, 2024), A Song of Songs (Park Theatre, 2024), You’re A Catch, Why Are You Single? (University of Winchester, 2024), Beauty and the Beast (Lichfield Garrick, 2023 – 2024), My Fair Lady (Frinton Summer Theatre, 2023).
Thomas is the resident Musical Director for Mickey Jo Theatre Live! and The Crazy Coqs Presents.
Thomas teaches at Trinity Laban, University of Winchester and Big Little Theatre School.
MUMBA DODWELL DIRECTOR
Mumba is currently a London-based director and facilitator. Her work centres around changing perceptions on who we can see in theatre and sharing her experience and connection to the work.
She has several years of experience working with young people and previously ran The Diversity School, as a co-founder, which was set up to address under-representation, inclusivity and diversity in UK drama schools through advocating and representing the changes that students wanted to see.
She has directed work at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Arts University and National Youth Theatre as well associate / assistant directors at theatres such as National Theatre, Noel Coward. The Almeida, Royal Exchange and more.
JACOB SAVAGE MUSICAL DIRECTOR
After winning the John Ogdon Piano Scholarship in consecutive years, Jacob went on to gain a First-Class degree in Popular Music Composition from Leeds Conservatoire in just two years.
He became a featured artist on BBC Radio 1 with his duo ‘alphabet.’ leading to a career in songwriting with major record labels and collaborating on multiple chart hits as both a writer and musician. Jacob toured the world
playing piano and guitar for various artists and held the first residency at the iconic Domino Club, Leeds, one of the leading jazz venues in the UK.
As an MD he’s been both panellist and accompanist on a multitude of West End and Touring productions. He was the MD with Opera Della Luna for a sell-out production at the legendary Wilton’s Music Hall and has since returned to Leeds Conservatoire as a lecturer in Musical Theatre. In 2024, he was the Musical Director for an Upskill Camp for BYMT.
MARINA CLIMENT CHOREOGRAPHER
Marina is a professional dancer, teacher and creative, originally from Barcelona. She trained as a dancer while studying Primary Education and Special Needs at the University of Barcelona.
Her dance credits include Woodhill (Oxford, Edinburgh and London 2023), Alice in Wonderland (London, 2023), Pumpkin Lab (Wales, 2022), the film Tara vs Vilal (Netflix, London, 2021), The Greatest Dancer (2019) and the dance show IDENTITY (Edinburgh Fringe, Turbine Theatre and Theatre Peckham).
Her creative credits include Alice by Heart (Choreographer 2025), Sister Act (Associate choreographer, 2025), Wonderland in Alice (Associate choreographer, BYMT, 2024), Rent (Associate choreographer, 2024), A Chorus Line (Associate choreographer, 2023), Merrily We Roll Along (Assistant choreographer, 2022) and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (Assistant choreographer, 2022).
She is thrilled to work again with BYMT, this time as a Choreographer, and bring one of Jane Austen’s classics to life!
KRITIKA AGARWAL SET & COSTUME DESIGNER
Kritika is a Set and Costume Designer, currently a resident Creative Associate at the Belgrade Theatre. Inspired by fashion, architecture, and fine art, Kritika’s work explores storytelling through texture, colour, and silhouette, with a commitment to sustainable and accessible theatre-making.
Their recent credits include The War of the Worlds (Belgrade Theatre), Two Pints (Belgrade Theatre, Edinburgh Fringe 2025), Romeo & Juliet (Belgrade Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Hackney Empire), Baskerville Hound (Rose Theatre), and Santi & Naz (Wardrobe Theatre & Soho Theatre). Additionally, Kritika has worked with BYMT before on Wonderland in Alice (Octagon Theatre), Angry Salmon (Bridewell Theatre, Theatre Royal Plymouth).
Their upcoming projects include After Sunday (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry and Bush Theatre, London).
CREATIVE AND PRODUCTION TEAM
Production Manager
Stage Manager
Deputy Stage Manager
Lighting Designer
Sound Designer
Sound & Lighting
Associate Designer
Thomas Quine
Cait Laws
George Ablewhite
Nathan Benjamin
Marcin Polski Weber
Core UK Production Services and Cross Light and Sound
Amina Pagliari
Assistant Musical Director and Additional Orchestrations
Assistant Designer
Assistant Stage Manager
Professional Musician
Rebecca Joliffe
Holly Coulson
Zoe Del Carlo
Alice Luddington
YOUNG COMPANY
Blossom Beard
Caoimhe Birch
Violet Buckland
Jenna Coogan
Holly Cundall
Freya Deakin
Dulcie Donnelly
Oliver Forde
Maya Goswami
Caitlyn Hamilton
Caitlin Hope
Poppy Houghton
Bay Jaworski
Isla Jones
Darcy Kennedy
Harry Lomas
Molly Loveday
Ella McFetrich
Emma McNally
Annabel Mott
Stephanie Okojie
James Oswald
Lucy Parfitt
Sophie Phillips
Alyssia Poenaru
Daisy Randall
Nuala Sankey
James & Mrs Weston
Elinor
Lady Middleton
Mrs Sanderson &
Lady Morton
Anne Steele
Lucy Steele
Ruth
Mr Sanderson & Sir Elliot
Margaret
Mr Baldwin &
Miss Gilbert
Marianne
Mr Whitaker &
John Rose
Sally
Simon & Mrs Carey
Mrs Dixon
Sir John Middleton
Betty
John Dashwood
Willoughby
Mr Palmer
Mrs Palmer
Mr Cox & Robert Ferrars
Harriet
Miss Walker
Miss Sparks
Rebecca & Sophia Gray
Fanny
MUSICIANS
Jacob Savage
Rebecca Joliffe
Alice Luddington
Eva Reid
Finlay Lyall
Musical Director & Keys
Flute & Clarinet
Cello
Young Instrumentalist (Violin)
Young Instrumentalist (Double Bass)
PASTORAL TEAM
Olivia Mann
Jensen Tudtud
Eliza Dawson
Alex Lonsdale
BYMT TEAM
Emily Gray
Clare Russell
Milly Summer
Frances Nicholson
Cerys Jones
Joshua Gordon
Naomi Smith
Charlotte Brown
Ed Hill
Sasha September-Downs
Chloe Share
Mrs Whitaker
Mrs Allen & Eliza’s Ghost
Khamani-Jerimiah Simpson
Astrid Tennyson
Emma Willson
Bertie Wood
Izzy Wooldridge
Colonel
Brandon
Miss Hurst
Mrs Jennings
Edward Ferrars
Sarah
Fintan Kealy
Clare Packham
PATRONS
Pastoral Lead
Pastoral Team Member
Pastoral Team Member
Pastoral Team Member
Chief Executive &
Creative Director
Finance Director Producer
Head of Development
Casting & Young Company Manager
Outreach & Welfare Manager
Marketing Manager
Marketing & Office Assistant
Production Assistant
Resident Composer
Resident Writer
James Bourne, Jean Diamond, Peter
Duncan, Grace Mouat, Ed Sheeran MBE, Zoë
Wanamaker CBE
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