Birmingham Theatre Photographer | British Youth Music Theatre

Theatre Photography – British Youth Music Theatre.

Birmingham Theatre Photographer Simon Hadley.

A selection of my images from the final dress rehearsal of the recent British Youth Music Theatre (BYMT) production of ‘The Naughty Carriage on the Orphan Train’ at Birmingham Hippodrome.

The musical, featuring young performers from across the UK, is based on the little-known true story of some 200,000 orphans taken from New York and placed aboard trains to be adopted by families across the United States. Tragically most of the children ‘chosen’ were picked for their suitability for cheap manual labour rather than the possibility of being part of a new family.

Inspired by the experience of Looked After Children, the show was developed with young people with lived experience of the care system and those who find their place with non-traditional families.

The potentially dark subject matter was contrasted with uplifting narrative and performances celebrating the rebellion and resilience of youth and unconventional family bonds.

I have photographed a number of productions for BYMT over the years and I’m always mightily impressed by the talent and enthusiasm of the young people involved as well as the high quality and professionalism of their thought provoking productions.

See more of my Arts & Theatre photography on the gallery: https://www.simonhadley.co.uk/gallery/theatre-photography/