The International Youth Arts Festival will go the next level tonight as performers take to the Rose theatre stage for Gala night.



Tonight’s opening night will include a variety performance of dance, drama, comedy, theatre and music from some of the best acts in the weeks ahead plus an aerial performance in the culture cafe. 

Live music in the culture cafe will be provided from 7pm by Liam Cottrell.

The Raise the Roof performances will start at 7.30pm. From 8.25pm there will be an aerial acrobatics performance in the culture cafe.

The Reptiles and the Brass Kats will play a post-show gig from about 9.50pm.

The festival began on Saturday with a bang with a week of workshops including yoga and singing by world music choir-member Hannah Rose Tristram and improvisation by LAMDA teacher Henry Lewis.

A record-making week also kicked off with a series on ‘how to make an album’. Glastonbury DJs
Our Friends Records offered young people a chance to record, produce, and promote an album at a launch party during the festival.

Teens also competed in the Kings’ Field skate park in Hampton Wick on Saturday as part of the festival.

Director Jeremy Sachs said: “They all put energy into mastering what they were doing, scootering, skating or blades.

"It was inspiring to see those guys throwing themselves into it, and if they fell down they just picked themselves up.”

A Rose spokesman said: “It's great to see the buzz and excitement of the International Youth Arts Festival take over the Rose. 

"We’ve had a lot of brilliant work so far and the second week looks like it’s going to be just as impressive."

The festival will close on July 25 at the Rose Theatre with a performance by the National Youth Music Theatre.

For all performances and to send your reviews and IYAF news visit surreycomet.co.uk/iyaf