Lynne Cross

A Year in Barry recently met with Lynne Cross the founder of Theatre for kids.
After a lifetime of performing in amateur dramatics and raising 5 daughters all with a love of performing arts between them, Lynne and Andrea set up T4K, Theatre 4 Kids in September 2004. Lynne told me they recognised the need for affordable theatrical experiences that are accessible to all. Within a few years Lynne's daughter Leanne also joined the T4K team bringing a wealth of musical experience with her. The group operates on a not for profit basis giving everyone over the age of 4, who wants it, the opportunity to perform and has seen hundreds of children benefit from being a T4K member with some going on to study performing arts at university. Team T4K is completed by Tilly, a qualified nursery nurse , Sarah who is studying child care education at university, both are ex T4K members, and Sandra and Julie who have been helping out since their children and grandchildren were members. It really is a family affair and at showtime more family members help out with set, lighting, backstage and sound. We rely on help from family, friends and parents to keep costs down which is important to us as we understand the financial pressure parents are under. Weekly sessions at T4K cost £4 which we believe is the lowest price in Barry. In a fun based environment the children gain experience and skills in dance, drama and song which increases confidence and develops transferable life skills such as team working, the understanding of the value of discipline, presenting and public speaking. For 6 months of the year the group learns through workshop events and the rest of the year they rehearse for a show. This year the show is Madagascar the Musical, it's a fantastic show, the audience is invited to join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the hip hip Hippo and, of course, those hilarious, plotting penguins as they bound onto your stage in the musical adventure of a lifetime. Based on the smash DreamWorks animated motion picture, Madagascar – A Musical Adventure JR. follows all of your favorite crack-a-lackin’ friends as they escape from their home in New York’s Central Park Zoo and find themselves on an unexpected journey to the madcap world of King Julien’s Madagascar. T4K rehearses at Barry Island Community Centre every Thursday from 6.30 - 8.30 during term time.