Michelle O'Callaghan, National Museums Liverpool youth arts officer (left), with youth theatre staff and senior students. Photo National Museums Liverpool

A new youth theatre has been set up using a museum’s collection to help inspire and create its productions.

National Museums Liverpool launched the group at the Treasure House Theatre, housed in World Museum Liverpool, on October 12 2006 and already plans to stage short performances later in the year and larger productions in summer 2007.

“This is a rare opportunity for young people to be able to learn theatre skills in a museum environment,” said Michelle O’Callaghan, National Museums Liverpool’s youth arts officer, who is leading the sessions.

“The Treasure House Theatre has proved very popular since it opened in April 2005,” she explained. “It uses the World Museum’s huge and diverse collections as themes for presentations and short plays which visitors can enjoy. The youth theatre builds on this success, with young people helping to create the new productions.”

The groups are based at the Treasure House Theatre at World Museum Liverpool. Courtesy Silver Knight and Michael Smalley

Two groups of young people will meet every Saturday to develop skills and ideas. The junior group covers ages 11-15 and the seniors are from 16-21, several of whom have previous arts and drama experience. Sessions will helps to develop communication, self-confidence and team building.

“We expect this exciting project to produce fresh ideas which can be translated into thought-provoking, educational and fun entertainment,” added Michelle.

The senior group’s main production may be showcased at the Big Youth Theatre Festival held in Epping Forest in July 2007, a major National Youth National drama event featuring workshops and performances and opportunities to meet young actors from across the country.

World Museum Liverpool reopened in April 2005 after a multi-million pound refurbishment. It houses important zoology, geology and world cultures displays. Its Treasure House Theatre hosts a regularly changing programme of shows combining new technology with artefacts from the museum’s collections.