The Secrets of the Brixtafaba

Five cousins sneak away from home and go on the adventure of a lifetime.  Bickering siblings, a sinister follower, a lost tribe and a dog called Poppy... The Secrets of the Brixtafaba is a brilliantly funny story, brought to life by an amazing cast of children.

This original new play was written especially for CYD by Florence Miller, mother of two of the children in the cast.

Scroll down to buy tickets for all performances.  Please take care to buy tickets for the correct performance.

Tickets for Tuesday 27th October at 7.00 pm

Tickets for Wednesday 28th October at 7.00 pm

Tickets for Thursday 29th October at 7.00 pm

Tickets for Friday 30th October at 2.00 pm

Tickets for Friday 30th October at 7.00 pm

Tickets for Saturday 31st October at 2.00 pm

Moana Jr.

Tuesday 20th to Saturday 24th January 2026

Cuddington Youth Drama presented this thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story, which followed the strong-willed Moana as she set sail across the Pacific to save her village and discover the truth about her heritage.

Moana and the legendary demigod Maui embarked on an epic journey of self-discovery and camaraderie, as they both learned to harness the power that lies within.

Moana Jr. featured all the beloved songs from the film, written by multi-award-winning composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, Opetaia Foa’i and Mark Mancina, including “How Far I’ll Go,” “Shiny,” and “You’re Welcome.”

Annie Jr.

Tuesday 29th October to Saturday 2nd November 2024

New York, 1933.  It’s the Great Depression and young Annie is left at the City Municipal Orphanage by her parents with a note, half a silver locket and the promise that they will return for her.  Maybe.  But Annie’s life is about to change when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the home of a millionaire…

The cast of Cuddington Youth Drama presented this delightful, abridged version of the well-known comedy-drama in the Bernard Hall during the autumn 2024 half-term week.

Into The Woods

Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th October 2023

The Brothers Grimm hit the stage of the Bernard Hall with an epic fairytale about wishes, family and the choices we make.  Everyone's favourite storybook characters came together for a rare modern classic.

The story followed a Baker and his wife, who wished to have a child; Cinderella, who wished to attend the King's Festival; and Jack, who wished his cow would give milk.  When the Baker and his wife learned that they could not have a child because of a Witch's curse, the two set off on a journey to break the curse.  Everyone's wish was granted, but the consequences of their actions returned to haunt them later with disastrous results...

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by James Lapine
Orchestrations by Jonathan Tunick
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International,    New York

Oliver! Junior

The Bernard Hall, Cuddington

Tuesday 26th to Saturday 30th October 2021

The streets of Victorian England came to life when Cuddington Youth Drama presented the musical Oliver! Junior.  Based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens and adapted from the full-length musical, the show follows a trusting young orphan named Oliver Twist who dreams of finding where he truly belongs.

Book, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart.  Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International, New York

Abridged Twelfth Night

The Bernard Hall, Cuddington

Friday 6th and Saturday 7th September   7.30 pm

Fresh from their triumphant week performing at the Edinburgh Fringe, Cuddington Youth Drama encore this abridged version of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night at the Bernard Hall.

Tickets are £5 per person, payable on the door.  Doors open 7.00 pm.  Refreshments will be available.

“Community theatre can mean a lot of different things, but in this version of Shakespeare’s most well-constructed comedy, it means young actors who know how to work together to create a feeling of ease and joy that carries through to their audience.  They were applauded at each scene break, as much for the camaraderie and care they had for each other as for their honest performances.

“Each actor brought something unique to their role, but stand-outs included a remarkable Malvolio, a confident Sir Toby, a riotous Feste, and a hilariously sly and expressive Fabian.  As often is the case, the two littlest cast members came close to stealing the show with their turns as Curio/Officer and ‘Violet’ (Maria’s interpolated henchwoman).  The future of British theatre looks secure if these young proto-professionals have any say in it.” Doyle edfringe.com

CYD Interviewed on Red Kite Radio

Five members of the cast of Cuddington Youth Drama –  Kyle, Iolo, Eliza, Amber and Oscar – were interviewed on Red Kite Radio this afternoon.

The interview was about CYD’s latest production The Wardrobe, running at the Bernard Hall until tomorrow evening.

Listen to the interview here

The Wardrobe

Time travel through Britain’s unique history in The Wardrobe by Sam Holcroft.

Following their success at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017, Cuddington Youth Drama stepped onto stage this Easter Holiday to explore Britain’s History in a unique and revealing play.

Set within a Tudor wardrobe, the play followed its ownership across the centuries.  In each scene, children climbed into the wardrobe, seeking sanctuary of one sort or another from the events outside.  We saw history through the eyes of each child as they shared their life experiences, their secrets and found the funny in the history of the day.

CYD on 107.2 Red Kite Radio

Four members of the cast of Cuddington Youth Drama –  Kyle, Lucy, Jazzy and Lottie – were interviewed on Red Kite Radio this afternoon.

The interview was about CYD’s appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe, performing Fiddler on the Roof last year and The Domino Effect earlier this month.

Listen to the interview here

CYD at the Edinburgh Festival

Cuddington Youth Drama has returned to the Edinburgh Fringe to perform their latest production, The Domino Effect, at SpaceOne, one of the venues on the Royal Mile, all this week.

The Domino Effect is a contemporary ensemble piece about a teenage girl who chooses to be silent, but finds her voice – and her estranged mother – when a mysterious East End antiques dealer teaches her the law of unintended consequences, and how small actions can lead to big effects.  It’s a poetic story of youthful hope and optimism.

Last year, CYD were described as “the embodiment of the Fringe” for their performance of Fiddler on the Roof.  Let’s hope this year’s production is equally successful!

Listen to a short excerpt from the play, as broadcast by Howard Bond on Red Kite Radio, here.

Alice in Wonderland

Over the Easter 2017 weekend the younger members of CYD (supported by many of the older ones) gave three highly entertaining performances of their adaptation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale.

The Domino Effect

In February 2017 CYD presented this modern play by Fin Kennedy, which was previously a five-star hit at the Edinburgh Festival fringe in 2014.

A silent girl finds her voice, and her long-lost mother, when a mysterious East End antiques dealer teaches her how small actions can lead to big effects, and how to master the law of unintended consequences.

CYD at the Edinburgh Fringe!

Cuddington Youth Drama have just returned from their first “tour” away from the village: a week-long run of performances of Fiddler on the Roof at theSpace @ Niddry Street in Edinburgh.

CYD principal Elaine English told the team “You all worked so hard!  You notched up six performances at the venue, three on the stages of the Royal Mile, about ten at the campsite, and then you took it on yourselves to perform up and down Edinburgh streets as you handed fliers out.  You have connected with strangers in ways you wouldn’t have dreamed of doing before.  I am so deeply thrilled with how everyone grew, and grew, and grew.”

Sarah Chapman, mother of two CYD members, said “We had the vision and, with the dedication of a team of loving people, we gave each other an incredible experience and made a great show...  What a huge privilege to have shared these days with them!”

Click here to see a review of CYD’s performance at the Fringe.  (Shame, though, that the reviewer re-located our village to Cheshire...!)

Fiddler on the Roof

In April 2016 CYD presented a special abridged version of the award-winning 1964 musical.

Set in the little village of Anatevka in turn-of-the-century Russia, Fiddler on the Roof Junior is the classic tale of Tevye the Dairyman and his struggle to hold onto tradition in the face of a changing world.  As Teyve’s commitment to his family, religion and the traditions that created them are tested, we see the rich love and moral dedication that holds it all together.

All photos: Rod White

Oliver!

Cuddington Youth Drama performed the stage musical “Oliver!” in the Bernard Hall between 18th and 22nd February 2014.

This was the well-known musical version of the classic novel by Charles Dickens, with songs like Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and I’d Do Anything and music performed by a live band.  Fabulous sets, costumes and choreography made for a terrific show.

Young, Wild and Free and Shut Up!

On Saturday 23rd March, Cuddington Youth Drama presented two short plays in the Bernard Hall exploring the relationships between young people.

Young, Wild and Free was devised and scripted by the younger members of CYD themselves.  It explored what happens when two groups of young orphans became marooned on tropical islands, and their different approaches to survival.

Shut Up!, a play by Andrew Payne, was a gripping story about a teenage boy who stopped talking for no apparent reason.  No amount of persuasion, nagging or therapy could get him talking again.  The play revealed the reason for his silence and the secret he was afraid to talk about.  The play was chosen, cast and directed by Ben Stoll, one of CYD’s senior members.  Thanks to Eliza Tewson for the photos on the left.

Asthall Manor 2012

The delightful gardens of Asthall Manor near Witney, Oxfordshire, once home to the Mitfords, formed the backdrop to an exhibition of beautiful sculptures in June and July 2012.

On the last day of the exhibition, Cuddington Youth Drama was invited to Asthall Manor to interpret the scupltures in their own, unique way…

MAD About Waddesdon 2012

Cuddington Youth Drama were the first act on stage at Waddesdon Manor on Saturday, 30th June for the Music, Art, Drama & Dance Festival.  CYD reprised their recent performance of The Aristocats Kids with a selection of songs from the musical.

CYD then repeated these highlights from the show at Cuddington Fête in July 2012.

The Aristocats

Cuddington Youth Drama’s 2012 production was The Aristocats Kids, an exciting musical based on Disney’s classic 1970 animated film.

In 1910, in the heart of Paris, a kind and eccentric millionairess bequeaths her entire estate to her high-society cat Duchess and her young kittens.  Furious upon hearing the news, the jealous butler kidnaps the cats and drives them out into the countryside.  It’s up to the street-wise alley cat Thomas O’Malley and his band of swingin’ jazz cats to save the day…

With energetic performances from the entire cast, terrific jazz backing music, a fine set and some fabulous costumes, this was one of CYD’s best productions to date.  After each show, the audience was treated to an ‘open mic’ session with impromptu songs, sketches and recitals from CYD members.

CYD Winter Show

Cuddington Youth Drama presented an informal evening of drama sketches, music and dance in the Bernard Hall on 11th December, 2011.  We said goodbye to Martha and Aeneas, who were leaving CYD after several years.

MAD About Waddesdon 2011

Cuddington Youth Drama appeared at Waddesdon Manor on Saturday, 25th June as part of the Music, Art, Drama & Dance Festival.  CYD performed scenes and songs from the classic 1970s film “Man of La Mancha” starring Peter O’Toole and Sophia Loren.

Alonso Quijana is a delusional old gentleman who renames himself Don Quijote de la Mancha, a knight-errant, and sets off in search of adventures with his neighbour Sancho Panza as his Squire.  They encounter a windmill, which Don Quijote sees only as some monstrous demon.  As the sun sets the pair stop off at an inn where Don Quijote falls in love with the serving maid Aldonza, to the ridicule of the inn’s staff and customers.

At the invitation of Milly Soames, the performance was repeated a week later at Ridgebarn Farm.  The event was a family fun day for the PACE Centre, an Aylesbury-based charity for children with physical disabilities.

One week later still, CYD performed the “Man of La Mancha” tableau once more at the village Fête.

The Sharing of Talent Show

Cuddington Youth Drama’s Sharing of Talent Show on 21st May began what I hope is a new tradition for the group.  Each actor decided what they would most like to work on and perform, and they produced a wonderful and immensely varied programme together.

Some sketches came from TV series like “Dad’s Army” and “Black Adder”; others were devised situations full of hilarious, original characters.

CYD members performed songs from the musical “Wicked”; by Adele, Elton John and Taylor Swift; and by our own musical director Gary Hawkins. Guitars, drums, the saxophone and the piano added impressive glimpses of talented musicians in the making!  One beautiful dancer took my breath away.  Scenes from “Romeo and Juliet” and “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” were followed by tap dancers who charmed us with “Singing in the Rain”.

The company finished with “To Dream the Impossible Dream” from the film “Man of La Mancha”, which they will perform again on Saturday, 25th June at the Music, Art, Drama & Dance festival at Waddesdon Manor.

CYD would like to thank the village of Cuddington for being the place where all this talent is fostered and encouraged.  Your support is so vital – so encouraging!  Thank you CYD, youths and parents, for enriching all our lives!

Elaine English, CYD Principal

This article originally appeared in the June 2011 edition of Village Voice and is reproduced by kind permission of the author

The Search for Odysseus

Cuddington Youth Drama’s most recent production was The Search for Odysseus, on 12th and 13th March 2011.

The play is written by Charles Way and tells the story of the teenage boy Telemachus searching for his lost father.  It is based on Homer’s epic journey poem The Odyssey, in which Odysseus is forced by an angry God to take a long route home after the Trojan War.  The goddess Athena tricks Telemachus into embarking on a challenging voyage that brings him face to face with his father’s adversaries, from a dangerously alluring goddess to an angry Cyclops; through a raging whirlpool to the Underworld and home again.

The play was enhanced by original music specially composed for this production by our musical director Gary Hawkins.  The production was set in the round, with all the atmosphere of a Greek play.

Persephone

On Saturday and Sunday, 27th and 28th November, CYD's younger group presented Persephone, an exciting kidnap story based on the Greek myth with a cast of gods, mortals and sea nymphs.

Persephone is the daughter of Demeter, the Goddess of Nature.  One bright summer morning she is kidnapped by Hades and forced to live in the Underworld.

Thanks to everyone who helped with the production, and to Jane Tewson for the photos on the left.