About us
In the beginning...
...there was the word. And the word was "Smile".
Way way back, many centuries ago, Hugh Conway invented youth theatre in Durham City. Along with many many friends and colleagues, Hugh created, and enhanced, two youth theatre companie- Durham Youth Musical Theatre and Durham County Youth Company. Both of these companies provided the young performers of Durham City the opportunity to perform in the best musicals money could buy. These companies ran for many years and some of the young people who began their performing careers with DYMT and DCYC have gone on to be regulars in the Theatres of London's West End in shows such as Starlight Express, We Will Rock You and Tonight's The Night. However after dwindling support and increasingly impossible financial difficulties both of these theatre companies ceased to be.
There was a small resistance to this "death of youth theatre". This resistance was led by Hugh and consisted of some dedicated and committed individuals. Whilst working with DYMT and DCYC Hugh had met and worked with a very talented and enthusiastic young lady by the name of Joanne Banks. Joanne performed in many shows and naturally progressed onto choreographing some of the most fantastic productions. Hugh and Joanne had also met two guys named Simon Bridge and Jonny Newell. Simon was a young performer and Jonny was an incredibly talented and qualified Musician who had worked with Hugh as Musical Director for a number of years. Between these four (and with the help of some more willing volunteers) they managed to launch the theatre company we all know and love today, Dionysis Theatre Company.
With Hugh as Production Manager, Simon as Artistic Director, Joanne as Choreographer and Jonny as Musical Director, the company embarked on their maiden voyage. Dionysis' first show would be Lionel Bart's Oliver!, a journey into the unknown and there were many questions and worries that would need to be answered as the company produced its first show. Questions such as "Will anyone come and see it?" "Will we make enough money from ticket sales and participation fees to cover the enormous cost of the show?" and "Do we have the manpower to put this show together?". We soon found out the answers to these questions and fortunately for everyone involved the answer was a resounding YES!
With wind in its sails the company has since gone on to create fantastic productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar, Bouncers by John Godber, Little Shop of Horrors and 42nd Street. The company continues to go from strength to strength thanks to the abundance of young people with a wealth of enthusiasm, dedication and, of course, talent. If you want to be a part of the extensive Dionysis Ohana (family) you can contact us at enquiries@dionysis.co.uk. Who knows? Perhaps you could be the star of the next Dionysis Blockbuster! Keep checking this website for updates of upcoming productions. So that's the story so far, what happens next is up to you...
