Youth theatre group turn to dark side in new production

A cast of budding young thespians promise to tell a story of black magic, devils and damnation in a production of Doctor Faustus.

Members of Ashford Youth Theatre (AYT) will be taking on the famous roles of Mephistophilis, Wagner and Doctor Faustus himself.

Written and published by Christopher Marlowe in 1604, the play follows the story of a man of education who trades his soul to the devil for fortune and fame.

Protagonist and tragic hero Doctor John Faustus will be played by Jonny Walczak.

Directed by Daryl Brown, the cast will take on the Elizabethan tragedy of the German scholar who grows so dissatisfied with the limits of traditional knowledge he decides to learn magic.

The script will be performed by a young cast from the

Jonny Walczak plays Faustus with Naomi Wilson and Tom Ifield as Duke and Duchess of Banholt theatre group, who make up the town’s semi-professional theatre company.

The group was founded in 1983, and over the years scores of actors and actresses have performed everything from Shakespeare to their own written performances.

Despite its role as a youth theatre, many members have stayed on to perform with the company into their 30s and 40s.

But the cast taking on Doctor Faustus is mostly made up of young people aged between 17 and 21.

Stella Critchley, co-founder of AYT, said: “We are really looking forward to the performance, it is going to be stonking. We have such a brilliant cast, they are all young, energetic and gorgeous.

“The play is beautiful to watch technically as well and we have an amazing set that won’t be revealed until the curtain goes up.

Tickets are £10 and are only available on the door on the night. Performances will take place today (Thursday), tomorrow (Friday) and this Saturday at the Ashford Youth Theatre in Dover Place, Ashford. • White Cliffs Ramblers – six-mile walk starting from Alkham church at 10am. WedneSday • East Kent Rambling Club – 6.5-mile walk starting Eastry church at 10.30am; five-mile walk starting from Walmer Castle car park at 10.30am. ThurSday • White Cliffs Ramblers – 13-mile walk starting from Princes Parade, Seabrook, at 10am, pub stop at Stanford.