CHELMSFORD YOUNG GEN PRESENTS
West Side Story
Wednesday, 15th April to Saturday 18th April 2026
Set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, this iconic musical features unforgettable songs including Tonight, America, Maria and Somewhere, brought to life by a cast of outstanding young performers and a live orchestra.
Packed with explosive choreography and powerful emotion, West Side Story is a thrilling night of musical theatre that you won’t want to miss.
Two rival gangs. One forbidden love. A city on the edge. Book now and experience this legendary musical at Chelmsford Theatre!
Welcome
Chelmsford Young Generation is a music and drama society (charity registered) for young people aged 8 to 18, established in 1968. They work with professional directors to perform two shows each year at the Chelmsford Theatre.
The fact that Young Gen work with professional directors allied with the hard work and dedication from the young people on stage and the myriad of volunteers who help out with the many aspects of putting on a great show, from the wardrobe department through to the set builders and backstage crew, allows the society to produce performances of the highest calibre.
Being a member of Young Gen gives young people an extremely wide range of life skills. Working as part of a dedicated team of people of all ages from diverse backgrounds, gives the “Young Genners” a unique opportunity to grow in confidence on an individual basis as well as being part of a group that strives, not only to put on tremendous shows but to have fun and develop new skills while doing so.
Our Previous Shows
Chelmsford Young Generation had a botanical blast of fun with the cult classic Little Shop of Horrors, a quirky, deviously delicious Broadway and West End hit packed with heart, horror, and horticulture!
This vibrant production tells the story of Seymour, a meek and lovable flower shop assistant who stumbles upon a mysterious exotic plant with a terrifying secret that he names Audrey II. He soon discovers that this is no ordinary greenery, it’s a foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore with a taste for human blood. As Audrey II grows, so does Seymour’s fame and fortune… but at a deadly cost.
Chelmsford’s local amateur theatre and drama group, Young Gen, returned to Chelmsford Theatre with the colourful Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Young Charlie Bucket lives a humble life with his loving family, dreaming of a better future beyond the rickety walls of his home. When mysterious candy maker Willy Wonka announces a contest to find five lucky Gold Ticket winners who will tour his top-secret chocolate factory, Charlie’s greatest wish suddenly feels wtih reach.
The award-winning Young Gen return to Chelmsford Theatre bringing to the stage this Broadway and West End smash hit musical!
Based on T.S. Eliot’s ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’ the show is set amongst a larger-than-life junkyard alive with many feline characters including, Rum Tum Tugger, Mr Mistoffelees, Macavity, Jennyanydots, Grizabella and Skimbleshanks.
View Past Shows to see our reviews and a selection of photographs from our previous performances.
Photograph by Michelle Rees Photography
Where You Can Find Us
Young Gen HQ
Meteor Way
Chelmsford
Essex
CM1 2RL
E: Enquiries@young-gen.co.uk