We made a flippin musical and performed it live in a theatre this week!!
It has been, to say the least, a very emotional week. I am so proud of our amazing cast of 27 teenagers whose respect to each other and dedication to their performances is awe inspiring. It is hard to appreciate that these guys have kept it going through lockdowns and the fear of Covid, kept their schooling going (many are taking exams), and the older ones are holding down part time jobs too. Amazing.
People have left the theatre moved by the story, the music and in small ways transformed, because what the cast did transcended "youth theatre", they delivered a performance of a life time at the right time about things we can all relate to.
And as for the artistic team; words are not enough. I love them so much. We tried to create a musical that explored themes of mental health, loss and anger, but also hope, friendship and why love matters. My incredible colleague Noel Jones wrote the script. Hannah Castleman and I the lyrics and Will Pickering wrote and orchestrated the music. We devised much of the show with the cast and then edited and distilled it down. The cast can see their own fingerprints are all over the script and the lyrics, which I think is wonderful. None of it would have been possible without the vision and drive of our producer Harriet Morris. An incredible woman who brings the power.
What a joyful week! There have been many tears.
