What connects a Doctor Who companion, a harassed dad at the school gates and a survivor of a zombie apocalypse? They are all screen characters brought to life by former members of an inspiring Birmingham youth theatre.  

When Arthur Darvill won the prestigious Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for Oklahoma earlier this year, he made a point of mentioning the people who got him started. In his speech, he said: “I went to an amazing youth theatre in Birmingham called Stage2 and I have a lot to thank them for.”

Stage2, whose Sunday sessions at Queensbridge School in Moseley are just the start of the fun, is where Arthur took the lead in Little Shop of Horrors before finding fame as the Doctor’s companion Rory Williams. He’s also appeared in Broadchurch and Legends of Tomorrow.

Also on the list of Stage2 alumni are Paul Ready, who plays put-upon Kevin in Motherland and a spy in the Netflix film Heart of Stone and says: “If I hadn’t gone to Stage2 I wouldn’t be an actor today.”

Kate Ashfield, star of zombie film Shaun of the Dead as well as Line of Duty and Sanditon, is another former member, along with EastEnders’ Lauren Crace and Yolanda Kettle from The Crown. 

Stage2’s unusual principal philosophy is that no-one is turned away. There are no auditions and no waiting list, so everyone from seven to 21 can join, including those with specific needs and challenges. There are no financial barriers either, with subsidies helping out families as the need arises.

Stage2 was founded by Liz Light in 1988 as her second theatre company – she started the first aged just 16 with her school friends. Five years later, she saw an article in The Stage newspaper which enraged her. She set out to prove it wrong when she read “Birmingham is not the kind of city that can sustain a major youth theatre”.

Kate Ashfield and Liz’s younger brother John were among the first recruits – John Light is best known now as jewel thief Hercule Flambeau in Father Brown. Based at the MAC, Stage2 grew quickly from 30 to 120 members and at its peak there were 250.

A low point was when Covid reduced the membership to just 17. The company struggled on online and almost closed. But it has battled back and is growing again, with 100 members, an enthusiastic young artistic director and a new stable home. Since Covid it has staged three five-star and award-winning productions at the Crescent Theatre, including Lord of the Flies and Lighting the Way, on climate change. 

Liz ran it in her spare time for almost three decades, as well as working as a project manager for the Prince’s Trust. Now she’s taken a step back as company manager, with former member Roni Mevorach, who first joined Stage2 16 years ago, returning as the new projects and performances manager. Roni recently completed her English and French degree at UCL, and gained experience tutoring young people, and directing shows in London, including at The Bloomsbury Theatre.

Members can enter LAMDA exams in everything from musical theatre and mime to Shakespeare. They go on theatre outings, foreign exchanges and residential trips – to the Edinburgh Fringe last month – and take part in summer schools. They can learn sound and lighting skills and how to build sets and make costumes. Thanks to the Young Leaders Scheme, 13 youngsters help to run Stage2 with training in first aid, safeguarding, event management and social media.

Liz’s and Roni’s passion for Stage2 is infectious. Between them they have taught more than 5,000 children and are now seeing the children of former members, but they still know every child by name and how to support them. More than a third of members face special challenges, ranging from autism and eating disorders to hearing impairment and cerebral palsy.

“I completely believe that kids need this,” says Liz. “We’re truly inclusive, including financially. I’m proud to say we’ve never turned anyone down. We openly advertise our subsidies because there shouldn’t be any embarrassment around asking for them, especially now with the cost-of-living crisis.
“The subsidy fund of around £13,000 a year relies on fundraising and local and regional trusts. Depending on need, that doesn’t just cover tuition fees of £175 a term but also travel, exam entries, show tickets and so on. That makes us unique in the West Midlands. And it can be kept confidential, so the kid never needs to know they’re on a subsidy.”

Khalid Daley was subsidised throughout his time at Stage2 and went on to join the West End cast of Hamilton. He says: “I wouldn’t be living my dream if it wasn’t for all the support Stage2 gave me when I was younger. This life was not an option for boys like me – except for with Stage2. It’s where I made friends, gained confidence and made incredible memories.”

As well as acting, members have gone on to direct and produce, work in costumes and casting and become agents. They also pick up so many transferable skills, from confidence to reliability and being part of a team. Stage2 asks them to “turn up, try hard and be nice”.

Many members stay in contact, such as Adrian Richards, 32, who returned to take summer school workshops. He joined at 15 and was a memorable Bottom in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and has appeared in everything from Doctors to National Theatre plays.

He says: “Stage2 was an eye-opener and gave me opportunities that I didn’t know existed. I made some really good friends, a Stage2 family with strong bonds.

“I help out as my way of giving back and saying thank you. So much is phones and online post-Covid and the arts have really suffered. It’s vital that youth theatres like Stage2 exist.”

Another former member seeing great success is Chloe Blake, who was recently made the Senior Casting Director for the National Theatre. She recalls: “Stage2 gave me opportunities beyond my wildest dreams, it was a formative time and shaped the career I now have. I am forever thankful for the experiences it gave me, to perform at large scale venues, to teach, and to grow my knowledge of the industry, whilst having fun and creating friendships.”

A new term starts on January 12. For more information, go to stage2.org or ring 07951 122932.