Stardust

Below are cuttings from 'The North Leeds Weekly News' and 'The Morley Observer and Advertiser'. For a more detailed image click here for the Weekly News article and here for the Observer article.

 


The day dawned and 43 hyper excited performers converged at The Alwoodley Centre to prepare for their professional stage debut with the school. Hair was plaited, make-up was plastered on, a quick final rehearsal was undertaken and we were set to go. A sea of French plaits and black jazz pants wound their way through the streets of Leeds on their way to The City Varieties. Once in the venue there was a collective sharp intake of breath as we realised that half the small stage was taken up with drum kit.

Our girls met the stars of the show, who were all lovely and were then put through their paces learning the opening numbers. The final rehearsal of our number was not the best but it was too late. We were despatched to the tiny dressing rooms to await our cue. Unfortunately there were a couple of slight hitches. No running order and no Anne Dunkley type stage manager to bully us on stage. Sarah, Trudy and I guessed and bustled the girls on stage thankfully at the right moment.

The girls were superb. No sooner were they on than they were off stage and back in the dressing rooms, which incidentally are three flights up. Maureen Nolan graciously gave up her running order so we had a clue when we were on next. The medley came and we were on again. Once more the girls were excellent. Even the putting on of Joseph’s coat/skirt went smoothly. The only problem was the curtain, which threatened to decapitate the front row of performers when it came down.

The second half began and it was time for our Chicago number. Nerves were a bit fraught but every single one of the 43 performers got on stage on time and wowed the crowd. The rehearsals had paid off and they were fantastic. I could not have been more proud. I was stood in the wings with Rachael Holoway. She was not only very impressed with the number of number but also with Olivia Wood’s dad. She wants to hire him for the rest of the tour as a member of the audience!

There followed a long wait for us until the show closed but the girls behaved impeccably. Well done. True professionals.