Once upon a time there was a very shy, but determined, young boy. He never spoke up, he never stepped forward. In fact every single report card said "Could contribute more in class". As time went on he trailed behind his parents and soaked up all the information he could about performing, singing, arranging, dancing and all the things which make 'The Glamorous Life'. Eventually it was noticed that he could sing and so his parents took him to an eminent conductor and singer who pronounced him as "A Freak". This was not what he wanted to hear, but it didn't stop him. He ploughed on with his ridiculous voice and kept hidden under a bushel. Music A Level beckoned and after a year of hiding when asked to sing he opened his mouth for the first time in front of any teacher in the exam and sang his 5 submission songs for the performance module. As he closed it, so the teachers opened theirs and stared. "How did we not know you could do that?" They asked.
He left school and, still shy, was supposed to go to design school to get a proper job. He pulled out and started work in the big wide world whilst he considered his options about how to make singing a career. Not equipped with any knowledge of drama schools he, instead, formed a choir, wrote a show and toured it. As you do. He was lucky enough to be 'spotted' and began working with a very experienced singer in session, cabaret and guest work. He toured the country, backed some stars of yesteryear, cruised as a guest artist and generally had a fantastic time. Of course, the day job had to go and so he was left foundering in the scary world of performing.
After a few years the now 20 something, but still shy 'boy' started to diversify and worked in production shows before finally securing a London agent and auditioning for that thing which we hold dear, the West End. Luckily enough the 'freaky voice' with which he had been blessed/cursed stood him in good stead and he landed the very first role he auditioned for. This was not an exercise to be repeated often! Chicago took hold of his life and off he went on a new adventure in the world of musicals.
Several years later and he was back writing arrangements and creating cabaret shows when the opportunity to become a Musical Director on a small Fringe project emerged. He seized it and so began another leg of learning on the job as he became immersed in the world of music on the other side/underneath/behind of theatre life.
He now lives with his partner near Bridlington. This is not a place where many London shows hold casting calls, however, he has been instrumental in bringing a Repertory Season to the theatre there and spends time creating shows left, right and centre. He occasionally still abandons friends and colleagues to venture out around the country on tour and also MDs a contemporary community choir.
What happens next? Answers on a postcard!
He left school and, still shy, was supposed to go to design school to get a proper job. He pulled out and started work in the big wide world whilst he considered his options about how to make singing a career. Not equipped with any knowledge of drama schools he, instead, formed a choir, wrote a show and toured it. As you do. He was lucky enough to be 'spotted' and began working with a very experienced singer in session, cabaret and guest work. He toured the country, backed some stars of yesteryear, cruised as a guest artist and generally had a fantastic time. Of course, the day job had to go and so he was left foundering in the scary world of performing.
After a few years the now 20 something, but still shy 'boy' started to diversify and worked in production shows before finally securing a London agent and auditioning for that thing which we hold dear, the West End. Luckily enough the 'freaky voice' with which he had been blessed/cursed stood him in good stead and he landed the very first role he auditioned for. This was not an exercise to be repeated often! Chicago took hold of his life and off he went on a new adventure in the world of musicals.
Several years later and he was back writing arrangements and creating cabaret shows when the opportunity to become a Musical Director on a small Fringe project emerged. He seized it and so began another leg of learning on the job as he became immersed in the world of music on the other side/underneath/behind of theatre life.
He now lives with his partner near Bridlington. This is not a place where many London shows hold casting calls, however, he has been instrumental in bringing a Repertory Season to the theatre there and spends time creating shows left, right and centre. He occasionally still abandons friends and colleagues to venture out around the country on tour and also MDs a contemporary community choir.
What happens next? Answers on a postcard!