Spotlight Productions

Musical youth theatre in Huntingdon

Sarah Wilkinson

Come and Join Our Workshops in June: Grease is the Word!

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2019 celebrates the 15th anniversary of Spotlight Productions. The first show that the group ever produced, back in 2005, was Grease (a photo of which is shown on the left, with a link to other photos at the end of this blog post). So, it seems only fitting to perform Grease once again and make it as true to the film as possible.

This time, we have secured the performing rights for all of the songs from the film, which were previously not available, including ‘Grease Is the Word’, ‘You’re the One that I Want’, ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ and ‘Sandy’. To give the show a true ‘West End’ feel, we are going to invest heavily in scenery and costumes and, once again, the musical will be supported by a professional band. As previously advertised, the show will open on the 10th April 2019.

As the show is set in Rydell High School, we are looking for a large cast of young people, aged between 11 and 28. No previous experience in musical theatre is necessary – just loads of enthusiasm and a commitment to learn.

To start the ‘ball rolling’, we are holding two pre-show workshops at the Hinchingbrooke School Performing Arts Centre, Brampton Road, Huntingdon on Tuesday 19th and Tuesday 26th June 2018. If you are interested in potentially joining our group, please do come along! Registration will be from 7pm, with the  workshops taking place from 7.30pm until 9.30pm. We do ask for a £3 payment per attendee to cover room hire costs. The workshops will give you the opportunity of learning some dance moves and songs from the show and find out more about our group.

Full cast rehearsals will be on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm until 9.30pm starting in September 2018 when the schools return from the summer break.

If you need any additional information, please contact us.

 

Grease poster

 

Other pages you may be interested in:

About Us  |  Shows  |  Videos  |   Photos of Grease in 2005  |  Grease 2005 show programme (PDF)

I’m Part of One Terrific Sister Act

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I cannot believe that, after 30 weeks of rehearsals, the curtain finally came down on our last performance of Sister Act the Musical, but what an amazing week it was.

Show week started at 8am on the Saturday morning, when the biggest truck we had ever seen arrived from UK Productions. Just under 12 hours later, our team of 12 ‘willing volunteers’, ably assisted by Tom from UK Productions, had the Queen of Angels church built in the Performing Arts Centre. In the meantime, Melissa, Angela and the wardrobe team were making sure that all the cast had a final fitting for all their costumes. On Sunday, Graham, Simon and Kevin Taylor designed the lighting plot. Will set up the sound and the 11-piece orchestra attended a band call with the Principals. On Monday morning, the ‘final piece of the jigsaw’ was added. Our 4.5-metre illuminated Sister Act sign, which was lovingly made by Paul and Will over many weeks, was hung in the foyer. This would not have been out of place in any West End Theatre.

This year, we had two dress rehearsals due to the complexity of the scenery and costumes, which, on reflection, was a great decision. This also allowed Mark Heath and his daughters, Bethany and Rebecca, who are our official group photographers, the opportunity to take some brilliant photographs and video. You can view high-resolution photos, and some video excepts from the show, by clicking on the following link:

Photos and videos from Sister Act the Musical

View Abi Mann performing “Sister Act” at our dress rehearsal by clicking on the play button icon below.

 

As the show had sold out approximately one month before, excitement levels were high for opening night, and what an opening night it was! The cast, crew and orchestra all combined to deliver a truly West End experience, above and beyond expectations. This performance level was maintained all week and I have been overwhelmed with texts, phone calls and emails from audience members who were ‘blown away’ by the show.

It would be unfair to single out any individual performances, as every member of the cast performed at an incredibly high level. This made us feel both emotional and proud.

The four performances went so quickly and the final curtain call on Saturday evening came far too soon. With a tinge of sadness, the scenery came down, to be packed back into the truck, ready for its delivery to Southampton. The Performing Arts Centre was returned to its original state and it was as if we had never been there when we left at 2.15am on Sunday morning.

As the curtain falls on one show, work starts on the next, and already we are starting to plan ahead for our 15th Anniversary show – Grease the Musical – which will be on stage from the 10th to the 13th April 2019.

I hope that we can attract a cast of 70+ and information about the pre-show workshops, which take place on the 19th and 26th June 2018, will be found on this website shortly.

Other pages you may be interested in:

Current and Past Shows  |  About Us