There are adventures on the high seas with a tale of good versus evil (what else) in the annual summer show from the Norwich Theatre Royal's Youth Theatre Company. This year they are setting sail in the swash-buckling story of Sinbad The Sailor And The Pirate Treasure. Featuring a cast of more than 180 local young people, lots of laughs, magic, danger and romance - Sinbad the Sailor is a musical extravaganza that provides the perfect family entertainment to start the summer holidays.Ìý The show is written and directed by the same Studio Theatre same creative team as last year's hugely popular The Wind In The Willows, director David Lambert and Andrew Fletcher.Ìý "It's a great fun show – plenty of laughs and plenty of excitement," said David Lambert. "Andrew Fletcher has written some corking songs for us.ÌýIt's a much more up beat show than last year's – but hopefully just as enjoyable," he added. Sinbad's story One of the greatest captains in history, Sinbad sets sail on his final voyage to rescue the Princess of Samarkand and foil the wiles of the wicked magician Vazar, while searching for the pirate's legendary lost treasure. "The tales of Sinbad are well known, but we've added a few touches of our own," said Lambert. "One new departure for us this year is that one of the main characters is a parrot. It's not just one of the cast dressed up as a parrot – we're delighted to have Pieces, the parrot puppet.
 | | Joe Claflin as Sinbad The Sailor |
"He'll probably be stealing the show under the able direction of his minder Henry King," he added. The Youth Theatre Company The Youth Theatre Company is made up of students drawn from the 500 plus who attend the Theatre Royal's arts courses at The Garage. The cast are aged between 8 and 20. For some, it will be their first time on stage, while for others it will be their last appearance with the Youth Company before leaving Norwich for drama school. "Each year the young people on the arts courses get this fantastic chance to appear on the Theatre Royal stage – probably the only time some of them will ever perform in such a large theatre," said Lambert. "It's an invaluable opportunity for all of them.ÌýSome will be leaving after Sinbad to go on to vocational drama schools, so you can truly say you can see tomorrow's stars right here on the Theatre Royal stage," he added. Sinbad is performed at the Norwich Theatre Royal from Wednesday, 2 to Saturday, 5 August, 2006. For ticket details call 01603 630000. | 
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