In 2026 we’re excited to be touring not one, but two shows working with nineteen actors and three backstage crew from across Cornwall aged from 12 to 20 years. The two plays we’ve been working on this season couldn’t be more different. The first is a striking, gothic poem written by one of England’s most famous poets, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and the other is a one of the most famous drawing room comedies ever written, and is the most famous play of the iconic playwright, Oscar Wilde.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, has been adapted for the stage and directed by Allan Neve and is a piece we’ve attempted twice already, adapted and directed by Dave Hunter back in 1995 and Rory Wilton in 2010. This year’s version is a visually striking, dramatic piece full of pathos and drama. The talented ensemble cast weave the story of the Ancient Mariner together with the story of the life of the poem’s troubled creator, Samuel Taylor Coleridge. Coleridge’s own story, and struggles with laudanum addiction add a perfect parallel to this visually striking piece.
Our second play is The Importance of Being Earnest. CYTC has been running since 1984 but surprisingly this is the first time we’ve performed this iconic piece, which is held up as one of Oscar Wilde’s most famous plays. Full of wit and repartee, our version of this famous piece promises to be full of comedy, iconic characters and hilarious misunderstandings which will all need solving before the play is through. The amazing cast have excelled at bringing their characters to life and being very, very funny in the process.
CYTC Manager Ellen said “We haven’t toured two plays since 2015, when we toured A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Hells Mouth in the same season. Covid hit us hard and we had a break of two years, which really impacted our numbers. We’ve been building back since then and this year we’re back to touring two plays. Having smaller casts and two productions has allowed us to stretch the young performers we work with further, extending their acting skills and performance opportunities. Every member this season has been challenged to find the edge of their skill set and asked to step up even further to achieve the best possible performance they can and as a result we have really amazing shows to tour in 2026.”
Both plays will tour Cornwall with four dates each over March & April. For dates, venues and tickets visit our website Cornwall Youth Theatre - What's On
Since 1984 the company have worked with thousands of young people from across Cornwall, performing hundreds of plays.
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