Last night, May 21st, saw an event at the Cadogan Hall conceived to encourage more kids from culturally diverse backgrounds to not only appreciate West End performances but to aspire to perform themselves.The message was loud and clear the colour of your skin need be no obstacle to a career in musical theatre and I was also glad to see a diversity of body shapes and sizes celebrated too.
But if you're a cash strapped parent you'll know that getting your child interested in the performing arts is one thing, affording training for them is quite another. Theatre schools for school age kids is a multimillion pound industry in the U.K. and it's not hard to find one that will charge you both for an audition and to participate. It soon adds up and the cost of it all is a major obstacle for many families.
So The British Theatre Academy who staged this event is extremely good news because it's completely free for youngsters under the age of 23 to apply for and take part in a series of musicals staged around the country including in the West End. This year they're offering classes led by professionals and the chance to play a role in productions of Annie or Bugsy Malone in regional theatres or Pinocchio and the Broadway kids show 13 at London's Ambassadors Theatre during August.
The Colour Purple was the perfect show with which to send an empowering message to aspiring young performers. Based on the celebrated book and film of the same name it's the story of a young black woman striving to find love and respect. The score is packed with what sounds like off cuts from better shows like Dreamgirls and Blues in the Night but there were plenty of faux gospel numbers and soaring power ballades to get the heart racing and the audience on their feet.
This life affirming concert was conceived and produced by The British Theatre Academy's founding Artistic Director, Matthew Chandler, powerfully staged by respected producer and casting director, Danielle Tarento and choreographed by Mykal Rand who I once directed as Collins in the musical Rent. The fabulous cast featured Marisha Wallace, Rachel John, Wendy Mae Brown, Tyrone Huntley, Cavin Cornwall, Hugh Maynard, Seyi Omooba, T'Shan Williams, Bernadette Bangura, Rochelle Jackman and Krishana Parker.
I look forward to seeing the grown up performers in West End shows soon, including Hamilton, and the younger performers auditioning for directors like me in the next few years.
More details about the British Theatre Academy: http://thebritishtheatreacademy.com/.
Fellow critic