Musical aims to give teen stars West End experience
BBCA musical starring teenagers and a chihuahua aims to give the budding actors invaluable experience of being in London's West End, organisers have said.
Twenty-five children aged from 11 to 17 are performing Legally Blonde, a play based on the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, in four ticketed shows at South Shields' Westovian Theatre.
Charlotte Reid, who runs the Drama Geeks group, said it would give youngsters from all backgrounds a chance to learn and "get their teeth" into performing.
The group, which trains children in drama and is based in the town, provides scholarships to families who may otherwise struggle to access the arts.
Fifteen-year-old Macie, who is playing the lead role of Elle Woods, said the experience she was getting was priceless.
She said: "I've been able to further develop my skills which have contributed towards so many things.
"Just having the experience on stage, getting to play all these roles, every show we do just confirms this is what I want to do in the future."
The cast have been rehearsing at The Customs House in recent weeks while The Westovian has been used for other performances.
Ms Reid said: "We thought if we give them a four show run, it would give them a taste of what it would be like to perform for a full week on the West End.
"It's the most excited the children have been about a show so far."
She said the recruitment of chihuahua Dolly into the role of Bruiser, Elle Woods' pet, was an "important one" and helped provide another challenge for the children to learn around.
"She's definitely going to steal the show," Ms Reid said.
The school was set up in 2017 by Ms Reid, a mother-of-three from Sunderland, and describes itself as a "creative outlet that is accessible to everyone".
Ms Reid said: "Money is a barrier and so this is why we try to give out funding and scholarships, but there is definitely a need for more funding in the arts.
"I can see how happy it makes the children and for some of them, it's an escape from certain things, or is an environment where they can express themselves."
The shows take place at 14:00 and 18:00 BST on June 21 and 22.