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What's training for a West End production really like? Over 100 young performers have this week learned just that in an intense course featuring routines from Hamilton and training from a real life 'Blood Brother'.
Over the past two weeks, 150 local talents aged eight to 18 have been studying songs, dance routines and scenes from different West End shows with a cast member from each production at Hautlieu School ahead of a Sunday showcase.
It's part of a course called the West End Experience, which this week saw a total of 83 students learn from musical director Alice Redmond, choreographer Claire Cassidy and creative director Richard Munday, who featured in Blood Brothers.
Brought to Jersey by Craig Whiteley, the workshop has been running twice every summer for the past five years. Another one runs over the February school holidays. Betty Cadoret, of the Jersey Amateur Dramatic Club, says that they are becoming increasingly popular. "The February workshop is always full," she explains. "During the summer it depends as some people go on holiday, but this week we are at our maximum.
Pictured: The students rehearsing a Hamilton routine with choreographer Claire Cassidy.
"We sometimes have students who do both workshops as they are completely different, with different routines and West End coaches. It is usually students who really want musical theatre as a career. They enjoy the workshops as the coaches are really pushing them."
While getting to learn from professional performers is an enriching experience for all, the students also get to perform the routines they have learned on stage at the end of the week.
Pictured: Richard Monday, who starred in 'Blood Brothers', is rehearsing with students.
Mrs Cadoret says: "It is really important that we do it at the Opera House so that it is a fully professional experience for all. We have the lights and the sound and it gives them a really idea of what performing live is like. Everyone is on a real high at the end of the show and it is something you don't want to miss!"
This Sunday, the musical theatre students will perform alongside Rachael Wooding and Matthew Goodgame. Richard Monday and Alice Redmond will also join in.
The programme will include songs from Seussical, the Greatest Showman, Hamilton, Blood Brothers, Bugsy Malone and others. Curtains go up at 19:30.
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