Former Central Youth Theatre member celebrates screenplay writer debut for “Your Christmas or Mine?”

On Friday 2^nd December former member and patron of Wolverhampton’s Central Youth Theatre (CYT) Tom Parry will celebrate his screenplay writer debut for Prime Video’s upcoming 2022 Christmas film ‘Your Christmas or Mine?’ starring Asa Butterfield. The feature length festive rom-com will be released on the streaming platform from 2^nd December.

The film, produced by Shiny Buttons Productions and directed by Jim O’Hanlon was shot at Pinewood Studios in 2021 and has an all-star line-up including Asa Butterfield (Sex Education) Daniel Mays (Fisherman’s Friends) Angela Griffin (White Lines) Harriet Walter (Killing Eve) and Alex Jennings (The Crown)

Tom, originally from Oxley in Wolverhampton was a member of the youth theatre from 1996 – 2001. As a member of the youth theatre he performed in productions locally, nationally and internationally.  Founding Director Jane Ward MBE says “From the moment Tom joined CYT his comedy talents were obvious.  His first role was as Bottom in Midsummers Night Dream and in then he went on to appear in other comedy classics such as Cyrano De Bergerac and Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead playing the part of Rosencrantz.  He also devised and created many original comedy shows for the youth theatre which were shown in Wolverhampton and at international festivals. These shows gave us an early indication of his special talents as both a wordsmith and a physical theatre performer.  With encouragement he and fellow former members Ben Clark and Chris Bowman established Third Wheel Theatre Company again creating more original comedies and touring them to village halls and venues across the country and abroad.

After leaving CYT Tom also went on to form the award-winning comedy sketch group Pappy’s.

Tom Parry

Tom comments “I’m so grateful to have been on such an exciting journey with this film and it was my time with Central Youth Theatre that started me off on that journey. Without CYT I would never have started out in this industry.”

‘Your Christmas or Mine?’ tells the story of two students Hayley and James. After saying goodbye for Christmas at a London train station, they both make a split-second decision to swap trains and surprise each other. Christmas traditions are turned on their head, secrets are revealed, and family truths are told with hilarious consequences.

The films London premiere is rumoured to take place at the end of November with more details to be released but will premiere on Prime Video from 2^nd December to over 240 territories worldwide. Stephen Kelly – another former member of Central Youth Theatre also worked alongside Tom on this film as Principal Costume Standby in the Wardrobe department.

Jane goes on to say “It’s fantastic to see the continued career development of so many former members and to see them crossing paths and working together in the industry is even more special.  It is also very inspirational for our current members to see the successes of former members”.