Twelve students of the Act Too theatre company, based in Horsham and Haywards Heath, have had the opportunity to perform on stage in the West End.
The group was chosen from hundreds across the UK by star of stage and screen Peter Polycarpou to join him in a musical celebration of his career so far. ‘The Songs of My Life’ was performed at the Garrick Theatre – home of hit musical ‘Chicago’, in London’s West End in December, with a star-studded cast including Hannah Waddingham, Claire Moore and Simon Bowman, on stage for a sell-out show.
Academy principal, Lance Milton said: “We were incredibly proud to be invited by Peter and equally proud of our students who represented Act Too so wonderfully alongside so many industry professionals. We try to differ from other groups, aiming to give our students a wide range of experience alongside their training. Particularly we feel that performing arts academies should perform with great regular live show opportunities and they don’t come much bigger than the West End stage.”
Act Too Arts Academy meets every Saturday morning at Harlands School in Haywards Heath and Heron Way School in Horsham. Over the seven years it has been open its students have appeared in over 50 shows at local theatres including the Hawth Theatre, Crawley and The Capitol Theatre, Horsham. These have included a record breaking three National Operatic and Dramatic Association [NODA] award winning musicals – Copacabana, The Witches of Eastwick and We Will Rock You.
The group was also invited to perform at the NODA National Conference and to stage the European amateur première of Mel Brooks musical comedy The Producers.
Now Act Too is offering young people in the region another opportunity. Three students have been handpicked to create, direct and choreograph a brand new jukebox musical – The Prop Box. While the students will by mentored and guided by the experienced Act Too production team, they will play a major part in writing the show and will direct it themselves. The production will be staged at the Capitol Theatre in Horsham.
Act Too is offering this opportunity to all young people, including non-students and open auditions will be held on January 15. Register at www.acttoo.co.uk
