Brighton youth theatre leaders receive royal invitation

A Brighton couple who have run a youth theatre group for more than a decade have been invited to meet The Queen.

Life-long monarchists Keith and Cally Shepherd devote much of their spare time to running Brighton Theatre Group Youth.

To mark the work, the couple, of Chatsworth Avenue in Telscombe Cliffs, received an invitation from The Lord Chamberlain on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen to attend a Royal Garden Party on May 21.

They were nominated by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, Peter Field, after he was impressed by the group’s productions of Miss Saigon and Les Misèrables at the Brighton Dome Corn Exchange last year.

Mr Shepherd said: “The invitation was totally unexpected and a great honour.”

He also runs the adult company and this year celebrates his 21st anniversary as Chairman.

The youth group is currently preparing for Grease which will take place next month at brighton Dome Corn Exchange.

Tickets, priced £14 to £22, with the usual concessions, are available by calling 01273 709709 or visit www.brightondome.org.