The Ragged Child

Posted on: May 8th, 2026 by

About the show

The plight of the homeless is examined through the eyes of abandoned children in mid-nineteenth-century London.

Broadcast on the BBC in 1988, The Ragged Child became a flagship production and title for the UK's National Youth Music Theatre. 

The dire straits of the poor and destitute of 1850's London is mirrored in the tragic lives of siblings Joe & Annie Cooper. As they are fighting in the streets for survival and reprieve from the deadly cholera outbreak, Lord Shaftesbury is fighting in the House of Lords for the education of the ignorant, illiterate poor. As Lord Shaftesbury's quest has a successful outcome, the Coopers are not so lucky. They're the last of the unfortunate souls to slip through the fingers of necessary charity.

About the company

The National Youth Music Theatre offers workshops and performance opportunities in music theatre for young people on and off the stage, with outstanding pastoral care at the centre of everything.

Growl

Posted on: May 8th, 2026 by

About the show

Growl: The True Story of the Big Bad Wolf – a concert performance of this heart-warming family musical.

We all think we know the story of the Big Bad Wolf. How he’s mean and greedy, and likes blowing down the houses of innocent little pigs, and gobbling up grandmas just for the wicked fun of it. But that’s a fairy tale and the truth is a whole lot more surprising.

In this hilarious, action-packed new family musical, you’ll get to meet the real Wolf: the guardian of a beautiful forest and all the creatures who live there. When a smooth-talking Woodcutter and his gang of henchmen turn up with deforestation and redevelopment on their minds, the Wolf is the only one standing in their way. But once they’ve sown the seeds of doubt among his friends, the Wolf – and his woodland family – will be tested to breaking point, and even the gentlest of creatures will learn that there are times when you just have to be Big and Bad.

About the company

This performance brings together alumni from the National Youth Music Theatre with young performers from Serious Play Shanghai and Youth Theatre Kenya.

Honk!

Posted on: May 8th, 2026 by

About the show

An exciting, modern adaptation of the beloved fable – The Ugly Duckling – this award-winning musical is a heartwarming celebration of what makes us special.

Since it first hatched in 1993 Stiles & Drewe's musical Honk! has winged its way around the world in over 8000 productions and in many different languages. Winner of multiple awards, including the 2000 Olivier Award for Best Musical, this celebration of being different is sure to inspire actors, singers and dancers to showcase their talents. Witty and hilarious, but also deeply moving, and with its memorable score, Honk! treats audiences to equal amounts of heart-warming laughter and tears.

Ugly looks quite a bit different from his darling duckling brothers and sisters. The other animals on the farm are quick to notice and point this out, despite his mother Ida's protective flapping. Feeling rather foul about himself, the little fowl finds himself on adventure of self-discovery all the while unknowingly outwitting a very hungry cat. Along the way Ugly meets a whole flock of unique characters and finds out being different is not a bad thing to be.

About the company

Thames Music Theatre is a youth Music Theatre company working within a charitable framework, established in 2023 by some of the most important and experienced leaders in youth Music Theatre in the UK.

TMT offers opportunities to young people in SW London and surrounding districts aged between 10 and 18 who are interested in creating and performing all forms of high-quality musical theatre – be they onstage performers or musicians or those interested in backstage or technical work. The board between them have very extensive experience in the field of training young people and youth music theatre, having been responsible for many productions all over the UK and abroad.

Indeed, Jeremy James Taylor in paritcular is almost solely to be thanked for the flourishing state of youth Music Theatre in the country over the last 50 years, in his capacity as its tireless promoter, visionary, creator, and as the founder and director of the National Youth Music Theatre itself for many decades! We work with external technical staff, directors and musicians of the highest calibre and experience to bring out the very best in the young people who work with us. Our staff have mentored many of the UKs top Musical Theatre performers, from their youth into their career, and have also worked with many of the country's leading performers of recent years in general: including such names as Idris Elba, Jamie Bell, Jonny Lee Miller, Ben Barnes, Jude Law, Sheridan Smith, Matt Lucas, Michael Jibson, Toby Jones, Hannah Spearritt, Roderick Williams, Ronnie Corbett, Ned Sherrin, Kit & the Widow, and many more. As well as our regular production work, TMT also works with local schools, delivering workshops and other creative sessions.

The Basement Door Battle of the Bands 2026

Posted on: May 6th, 2026 by

About the show

Get ready to celebrate the power of youth, community and creativity at the 2026 Battle of the Bands hosted by The Basement Door, a charity dedicated to empowering young people through live music, skills training and performance opportunities.

This exciting annual competition invites emerging young bands from across the region to take the stage, showcase their talent and compete for top honours, all in support of The Basement Door’s mission to nurture confidence, collaboration and real-world experience in a safe, supportive environment. With music as the driving force, the 2026 Battle of the Bands promises unforgettable performances, community spirit and a celebration of the next generation of musicians

About the company

The Basement Door is a charity which advances the education of young people, aged 13 to 22, by providing training and experience through live music events. Young people learn new skills, gain confidence and make connections, through The Basement Door community. The skills they develop whilst working with The Basement Door help them secure employment.