CREDITON Youth Theatre (CYT) has launched a crowdfunding campaign to enable it to stage its latest production, “Hopping Mad” at Credfest 2017.

The funding will be used to meet some of the production costs, including musicians’ and set designer’s fees, costumes, rehearsal costs, publicity, staging, lighting and sound equipment.

In return for "pledges" of differing amounts, the public will be able to choose from a selection of "Rewards" on offer - including “Hopping Mad” t-shirts, badges and bags; tickets for the show in June; a mention in the programme; a framed A3 poster signed by the cast; and even a personal song written especially for the individual by CYT’s very own Musical Director, Jez Taylor.

Crediton Youth Theatre treasurer, Marie Belsten, said: "We are very grateful to Crediton Arts Centre, Crediton Town Council, Mid Devon District Council, local councillor Nick Way, the Lady Amory Trust, and local businesses Veitch Penny and Costa Coffee for supporting this project, as we would not be able to put on this show without their generosity.

“However, we still need around £1,000 to cover some of the outstanding production costs, and this is where the crowd-funding campaign comes in. We really hope that local people will get behind the youth theatre and support them to pull off this amazing original production as part of Credfest 2017."

The crowdfunding campaign launches today, Friday, May 5 and runs until Wednesday, May 31.

Visit: www.crowdfunder.co.uk/hopping-mad for all the details.

ABOUT THE SHOW

“Hopping Mad” is an original, historical musical set in the hop fields of Kent between the two World Wars.

The show will form the theatrical centrepiece of Credfest 2017, and will take place at an accessible, outdoor, purpose-built venue in Newcombes Meadow on June 8, 9 and 10.

Jen says it will be a funny, moving and dramatic show suitable for all ages.

He added that the production explores timely themes of intolerance, prejudice, community and family, as well as touching on religion and the rise of the abstinence movement.

“It is also a lot of fun, with a series of humorous and show-stopping tunes, including the bawdy ‘My Hop Husband’, the wistful ‘Summer’s Gone’ and the joyous gospel number, ‘Hopping Mad’.

“This will be CYT’s 18th production in Crediton and will feature a cast of talented local people. The play will be very much in keeping with the inter-generational tradition of ‘Operation Belinda’, CYT’s hugely successful production at Credfest 2015, and will once again incorporate an adult chorus from the local community.”

Crediton Youth Theatre is a non-profit-making, open-access youth arts organisation led by professional theatre and music practitioners, which creates dynamic, original musical theatre with young people aged from seven to 18-years at Crediton Arts Centre.

Alan Quick