Filed under: 2011, 2012, Easter shows, Uncategorized | Tags: 13 the musical, auditions for 13 the musical, FCT, Forth Children's Theatre, katie renton
Great auditions last week. Katie strutting her stuff!
Filed under: 2011, 2012 | Tags: Claire Stewart, FCT, musical theatre, Once on this Island, tony awards
At our recent AGM Jane Sutherland was voted back onto the committee as an ordinary member for a further three years.
Kirsty Harrower also kept her Parent’s Representative position for a further year .
Claire Stewart ended her termas Secretary to be replaced by Roy Carter (an ex cast member).
We are extremely grateful to the immense amount of work that Claire has put in in her role as secretary and she will continue as a member of the Artistic Committee and is directing our Festival show which was also announced at the AGM.
The show will be Once On This Island and here’s a number from it from 1991 when the show was nominated for a Tony. (Sorry but the quality is not good)
After an extended debate it was voted almost unanimously to increase the cost of membership from the current level of £3 to £10.
Filed under: 2012, Auditions, Easter shows, youtube | Tags: 13, 13 the musical auditions, 13 the musical broadway, Amatuer theatre in Edinburgh, auditions, Children's Theatre, Easter show, Edinburgh Evening News, FCT people, musical theatre, Musicals, The Pleasance, Youth Theatre
Next Year FCT will be staging 13 The Musical at The Pleasance Theatre in Edinburgh.
It’s been a smash hit on Broadway and is full of fantastic numbers like these ones.
This is the title track
And a few more…
The production team will be led by Ronan Radin, MD’d by Andrew McDivvit and Choreographed by Katie Renton; all three making their production debuts for FCT but all three ex cast members. A lot of fun is guaranteed.
AUDITIONS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER!
We’re all very excited about the auditions on Sunday.
Please be there, at Bangholm, prompt at 10am as we want to crack into the fun workshops we have planned!
If people have problems making the full day then please do get in touch as there may be a way to get round it!
We’d really appreciate it if you could all let your friends know about the auditions as it would be great to have as many people as possible. Please share this link on facebook (we’ll be checking to see who has actually done it).
http://www.facebook.com/events/258159827560162/
If you have any questions then please get in touch with our director at ronanradin@hotmail.com
Looking forward to seeing you all on Sunday!
The production team x
FCT is often the stage and starting point for careers that are about greatness.
Young people that are given their spotlight and moments, sometimes turning into years and careers of fame or, at the very least, recognition.
But it’s not all about that.
Today, we need to turn our eyes to another dimension that is so, so important to this company.
The back room, the quietly wonderful contributors that never ask for thanks, that turn up year in year out to add the underscore to what makes this company what it is.
Fiona Pirie was one of those people.
Quiet, unassuming, unbelievably talented.
Lovely.
Dedicated.
One of us.
But she died last Wednesday, yet another victim of cancer.
We will all remember her many many contributions to FCT; her last being Chess Game.
I captured her with Neil’s band during Ragtime as she proudly showed off not only her Clarinet, but her Soprano Saxaphone too.
I hope we will all remember her unsung contribution with great respect.
She was, unquestionably, an FCT legend and our deepest sympathies go out to her husband Bill.
Her funeral is on Thursday 17th November 2011 at Warriston Lorima Chapel, Edinburgh with an internment at Aberlady, East Lothian afterwards. Bill has requested Family Flowers only but has said that all are welcome. Sadly I am on holiday and so will be unable to attend.
Fiona. We love you.
And now, Andy Umerah, who starred as Coalhouse in Ragtime, has joined the FCT telly ad people with a starring role in the new Morrisons Millions TV commercial.
You can see it here.
What’s more Alex Bathe and Ellie Henderson have both been cast in a commercial for the Mental Health charity See Me’s next ad campaign.
Filed under: 2011, FCT People, Media, youtube | Tags: FCT, Forth Children's Theatre, STV, STV appeal
Emma Simpson, one of our newest members, is the start of one of STV’s Child Poverty Appeal campaign for 2011.
Have a wee look. Great performance from Emma I’m sure you will all agree.
Filed under: 2011, Journalism, Media, Reviews | Tags: FCT, Forth Children's Theatre, Primary times reviewthe chess game
For the past two years my children and I have been bowled over by the talent and professionalism of Forth Children’s Theatre’s fringe shows, so it was with high expectations that we went along to The Chess Game at Inverleith Church. And I am delighted to say that we were not disappointed.
From the moment that the huge, black and white-clad, cast emerged on to the giant chessboard of a stage, my daughters and I were moved and entranced by the power of the massed chorus, belting out the opening number. It didn’t matter that we were unfamiliar with the music, written incidentally by FCT’s musical director, Iain Macdonald.
The show tackles the serious theme of war in a light-hearted way. This does not however compromise the gravity of the underlying message, that war is a game, even a whim of those in power, in this case the kings, queens, bishops and knights, that wreaks destruction and devastation on the oppressed ‘pawns’, foot soldiers charged with carrying out the fighting – for reasons that are beyond their care or comprehension.
The large cast of extremely talented youngsters deal well with these difficult themes, from the raw talent of the younger performers to the more nuanced, mature performances of some of the ‘older’, more experienced actors and singers. The ensemble numbers are magnificent, while the quieter solo numbers, such as the excellent “I hear the bell toll” convey the powerful emotion of the show.
All in all it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for adults and children alike. Both my 9 and 7 year old daughters were mesmerized throughout. Jojo, 9, commented: “I loved the two queens, I thought they were really brilliant at singing. My favourite bit was at the end when all the characters had a pillow fight – I really wanted to get up on the stage and join in”.
Amelia, 7, thought it was a great show too. She loved all the music and singing and was delighted to discover that there were real musicians playing the music. She also loved all the black and white costumes of the characters.
We can’t wait until next year’s show!
Filed under: 2010
Guys. Jane Sutherland’s husband, Nik, spotted this and thought some of you might be interested.
Young Performers needed to star in The King & I
Wed 10 August 2011
The Festival Theatre Edinburgh and Music and Lyrics Ltd are seeking enthusiastic and talented young people to take part in this year’s Christmas musical spectacular - The King and I.
Auditions:
We are holding open auditions for boys and girls aged 5 – 14 years, preferably with dark hair and the ability to sing and dance. No previous experience is necessary, just a great deal of energy and enthusiasm! All ethnicities are invited to apply.
Candidates must be available for the following audition times (applicable to their age):
Friday 26th August
2.00pm – 4.00pm girls aged 5 – 8yrs
4.00pm – 6.00 pm girls aged 9 – 13yrs
Saturday 27th August
9.30am – 10.30pm boys aged 5 – 7yrs
10.30pm – 12.00pm boys aged 8 – 14yrs
Audition Location: The Gillis Centre, 100 Strathearn Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1BB
To register for an audition:
Please email: kingandiedinburgh@gmail.com stating the name and age of the child, full details will be sent to you immediately by return.
Need to know:
· Young people will be notified by email within one week whether they have been chosen to be part of the company.
· Rehearsals will be held in Edinburgh in October and December. Those chosen must be in Edinburgh throughout the festive period from Monday 12th December to Saturday 7th January inclusive (each child will perform in a maximum of 16 shows).
· Any young people who are cast in the show will be required to miss some school time (hours TBC).
· The Festival Theatre will be applying for a Children’s Licence for each child. It will be the parent/ guardian’s responsibility to complete & return any paperwork relating to this process in full & on time.
· This is an unpaid opportunity.
Filed under: 2011, Festival shows, Journalism, Media, Reviews | Tags: Evening News, Thom Dibdin
A JAZZY score and light-hearted banter underpin the strong and serious message of FCT’s well-judged musical offering for the Fringe.
Originally produced by the company in 1985, The Chess Game is written by their musical director Iain MacDonald. It is both a timely piece of entertainment and one which perfectly weighted for its young performers.
A collection of anonymous, white and black-clad figures emerge out of darkness. Over the musical they form up into a hierarchy, with individuals taking the roles of the chess pieces, and then the pieces take on the aggressive qualities of the game of chess, to a brilliantly twisted finale.
The older members of the cast, such as Rebecca Gilhooley as the White Queen, and the quartet of girls as the media-savvy Knights, put in strong and subtle performances.
The younger members shine too. Hayley Scott and Liam Thomson as the lead pawns trade on their strengths – hers in her voice, his in his acting – with great, heartfelt performances.
Which is what makes this production so entrancing. It entices the performers out of their comfort zones – but not so far as to leave them exposed – with strong music and great rhythms that are complex in structure, but satisfying to listen to.
Run ends Saturday
Filed under: 2011, Archive photos, FCT People | Tags: Irene Hogg, WhiStlers mother
Whistler’s Mother
Irene Hogg
