Our daughter has been at YATI for the last few years and it was so obvious what a huge and wholly positive influence Andrew had there. the Jesus Christ Superstar production was insanely ambitious but accomplished with breathtaking quality and panache. Our daughter loved being in it and we loved watching it - Andrew will always have a place in our hearts for that alone. Sadly missed, long remembered. John and Deborah
– In Memoriam –
Andrew was “a giant of a man, with a giant heart to match”.
Andrew became the Artistic Director of Young Actors Theatre Islington (YATI) in 2004. In that time roughly 6,000 local young people have counted themselves as members and thousands more have attended short-term courses at the drama school under Andrew, many of whom credit him directly for transforming their self-confidence.
Andrew always saw YATI’s raison d’etre as creating a future for children of the surrounding neighbourhood. Such is the strength of community that Andrew built at YATI that many staff are former ‘members’ supporting the next generation of Islington’s children to have a better and brighter future.
Through its successful agency and excellence in teaching under Andrew’s guidance, YATI has also played an important role in the development of industry professionals such as Academy award winner Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah), Asa Butterfield (Sex Education), Franz Drameh (Legends of Tomorrow) Ella Purnell (Army of the Dead), Obioma Ugoala (Frozen the musical).
Andrew’s guestbook…
15 entries.
Farewell Andrew.
YAT was a big part of my daughter's lives growing up and they learnt far more than acting skills. They learnt about friendship and community as well as skills such as confidence. It was a place where they felt confortable and part of the YAT family.
Ever present, I will always remember Andrew greeting the kids at the door to the theatre and the fabulous shows that were put on.
My girls now have some fantastic memories of their time with the YAT family which we often talk about.
Andrew you will be missed but you will certainly live on in peoples memories.
Sleep peacefully.
JANINE PHOEBE AND TILLY X
My year on the YATI Foundation Course was one of the best of my life - unfortunately I can’t make the funeral, but I’ll always remember Andrew as someone who shaped me as an actor and as a person♥️
15 entries.
Farewell Andrew.
YAT was a big part of my daughter's lives growing up and they learnt far more than acting skills. They learnt about friendship and community as well as skills such as confidence. It was a place where they felt confortable and part of the YAT family.
Ever present, I will always remember Andrew greeting the kids at the door to the theatre and the fabulous shows that were put on.
My girls now have some fantastic memories of their time with the YAT family which we often talk about.
Andrew you will be missed but you will certainly live on in peoples memories.
Sleep peacefully.
JANINE PHOEBE AND TILLY X
My year on the YATI Foundation Course was one of the best of my life - unfortunately I can’t make the funeral, but I’ll always remember Andrew as someone who shaped me as an actor and as a person♥️
Video Guestbook
