Musical Theatre All Over the Workplace

-I just love working in...theatre!

-TRUMPET FANFARE FADES

There you go, mate.

Yeah, I know it's the cloakroom but there's so much more to the theatre

than just being on stage, you know?

We're putting two wannabe West End performers through their paces

as they find out what goes into making

a successful theatre production.

We'll put their vocal cords and dancing shoes to the test

to see if they can handle being in the limelight...

or will just get stage fright.

Let's find out as we go all over the workplace.

We're about to go all over the workplace with two rookies

who dream of treading the boards in musical theatre.

But do they realise just how difficult it is to succeed

in the world of performance?

"To be or not to be,

-"that..."

-Next!

-"..is the..."

Cos I can't even get past the first audition.

HE SIGHS

11-year-old Harry is from Birmingham

and he has a dream

of hitting the big time.

All I've ever wanted to do

is be a performer.

My dream role in the West End

would be Michael

out of Billy Elliot.

I love a challenge...bring it on!

Mia is also 11 and from Birmingham,

she hopes to have her name

in lights.

I'd like to be a dance teacher but

I'd like to pursue my dream first

of going on the West End.

If I work hard enough,

I can do anything.

No dream is too big.

Harry and Mia have travelled from

their homes in Birmingham

to meet up with Alex in Leeds,

where they'll start out on their

path to stardom.

-Hi there, Harry and Mia, how you doing?

-BOTH:

-Good.

Now, I hear that you guys want to be professional performers.

Now, Mia, what attributes do you think you've got

that will make you a success as a performer?

I'm very confident and I can speak my mind to people.

And, Harry, what about you?

What would you bring to that job that would make you a success?

Being a performer you need to give it all you've got

and just get out there and show yourself.

-138%?

-More than that.

Wow! Now, that is commitment.

Well, you both think you've pretty much got what it takes

but what about the people who know you best? What do they think?

We've always been quite encouraging of Mia

because we can see how much she loves doing it.

I think Mia's got diva-ish moments.

Erm...every child's got diva-ish moments.

I think Harry's got what it takes to become a West End performer.

He's got the personality, he's always determined,

he's hard-working.

Harry does pick it up so quickly,

you can teach him a dance in, like, a day

and he'll know it straightaway.

Well, that was all pretty positive, fantastic.

Except for you, Mia, some diva-ish moments.

-Maybe.

-Yeah?

OK. We'll have to watch her, won't we, Harry?

OK, come with me, I'll show you what we've got in store for you.

We're at the West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds

where there's a brand-new touring production

of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in town.

It's a musical adventure featuring lots of singing, dancing

and a magical flying car.

The rookies will be joining the star-studded cast

to see if they're cut out for a life on the stage.

But first, to give them a flavour of what's in store,

Harry and Mia were given the chance to watch last night's performance.

-So, did you enjoy the show last night?

-Yes.

-It was amazing.

It was brilliant, wasn't it?

Well, the chap in charge of the whole thing, the director,

is in the room down there and he wants to meet you both.

Now, I've got to nip off and organise something for later on

but I'll meet you back here afterwards, OK?

-BOTH:

-OK.

-Oh, and don't forget to ask him his top three tips.

-I'll see you later then.

-All right, cheers.

-Bye.

James Brining is in his dream job.

He's an artistic director

and is currently directing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

He's been in the business for 26 years

and his favourite musical is West Side Story.

So, welcome.

I know you watched the show last night but what did you think of it?

-It was amazing.

-We loved it.

What are your top three tips for anybody that wants to be

in musical theatre?

One - really obvious, don't be late.

Number two - you've got to love telling stories through acting,

through singing, through dancing.

The third thing is about learning -

you can learn from everybody all the time.

From the most experienced actors

and from people who are doing what seem like quite insignificant jobs

and it's what keeps the thing alive and fresh.

Punctuality is important in any job.

After all, musical theatre is all about storytelling.

Great performers are constantly learning.

How many people would you reckon are in the production altogether?

There's about 80 people.

That's obviously people like the actors and the band,

there's people backstage, there's a whole range of different jobs,

it's incredible.

Such a brilliant range of stuff that goes into making this show.

So, I've got a little bit of a surprise for you.

What we'd like to do is to give you the opportunity

to maybe appear in the show.

The mentors who'll come in and work with you,

they'll need to put you through your paces and we'll see how you get on.

It's not a done deal,

so you're going to have to work really, really hard.

-Wow!

-Wow!

-How do you feel about that?

-Thanks!

-Amazing!

James has given our rookies the opportunity to appear

in a performance of the show.

If they prove they've got what it takes,

the deal is they get to play sewer kids hiding from the villain.

Theatre, a part of British culture for a long, long time.

In 1576, The Globe became London's first proper playhouse.

London now spurts out 18,000 performances a year

in its 241...yes, 241 theatres.

That's an audience of around 20 million people a year.

More than 3,000 performers are treading the boards

in London's theatres at any given time.

And more than 6,500 other staff

are beavering away behind the scenes.

Theatreland in London's West End

boasts a third of the city's theatres

and is home to the longest-running musical, Les Miserables,

with over 12,300 performances to date,

an incredible 70 million people have seen the show worldwide.

A little-known fact is that the city's theatres

make more than the cinemas.

Andrew Hilton is the production's

musical director.

He's in charge of music for the show

and he'll be warming up

Harry and Mia's vocal cords

to see if they're good enough

for a paying audience.

Andrew, what are your top three tips for working in musical theatre?

The first one is look after your voice

because you've only got one voice.

If you can't say your lines and you can't sing,

you're not going to be able to do the show.

Secondly, be nice to people because in the ensemble next to you

could be your future director or choreographer.

And thirdly, practise every day.

There's so many actors out there

that if you're not the best you can be,

you're not going to get the job, so practise every single day.

It's a precious instrument.

You never know who you'll work with in future.

As practice makes perfect.

Here we go. So, the first line is...

# There's no stopping what a fighting team can start. #

Try that for me. Three and...

-BOTH:

-# There's no stopping what a fighting team can start. #

# For all together A team can weather. #

Try that.

-BOTH:

-# For all together A team can weather. #

-# A team can weather. # Try that.

-OK.

-ALL:

-# There's no stopping what a fighting team can't start

# For all together A team can weather... #

-Good.

-KIDS:

-# Every storm they may go through... #

Yeah, that's hard, isn't it?

It's a tricky song.

-It sounds simple but it's actually tricky.

-Yeah.

And then the last line. # Yes, teamwork

# Can make a dream work. #

All on your own, yeah?

-KIDS:

-# For all together A team can weather

# Every storm they may go through

# Yes, teamwork can make a dream work

# Can make the greatest dream come true. #

OK, do that last line for me, really open your mouths.

Can make... One, two, three...

# Can make the greatest dream come true. #

Three and...

# So when you start out

# Let all your heart out... #

# And never stop once you begin. #

And there is a stop after we say the word stop.

Yeah, really big on..."gin"!

Don't chicken out cos it's getting high.

And then the very last line.

# Yes, teamwork can make a dream work

# If you have got the will to win. #

So the really big ending, we want the audience standing on their feet

because you've done such a good job. Go for it, deafen me.

-QUIETLY:

-# If you have got... #

Oh, can't hear you. One, two, three...

# If you have got the will to win. #

Good. Getting there, it's better, OK.

If we're going o get you in the show,

you've got to be absolutely brilliant.

# Great teams make its possibilities come true. #

-Yeah. It's not too high for you, is it all right?

-Ish.

It's on the edge, yeah. Do that line for me one more time, great teams...

Three and...

# Great teams make your possibilities come true. #

Do great teams again. Three and...

# Great teams make... #

-What?

-I can't do it.

-Oh, you can, you can. Don't stress.

-OK.

Oh. Shall we stop a sec?

-'Are you all right, Harry?'

-Yeah.

Harry's having bother hitting those higher notes

as they're right at the limit of his vocal range.

Andrew spotted it and he thinks Harry could do with a break.

Breath in through your nose.

-Hold it and let it out.

-ANDREW EXHALES DEEPLY

Two, three and...

-KIDS:

-# Teamwork can make a dream work

# If you have got the will to win. #

Great.

Smile. Yeah, good! It's a happy song.

OK. So you've learnt the words, you've learnt the tune.

You've got to go away and practise a lot cos it's a hard song.

I'm going to hand you over to Jo and she's going to teach you

the dance moves for the song.

It's her job to make sure the cast

are getting all the dance routines

right for the show.

She'll be putting the rookies

through their paces

teaching them the moves to

accompany their vocal talents.

What are your top three tips for working in musical theatre?

My top three tips would be stay focused.

Always make sure when you're learning anything

or you're in a dance class that you are looking at your teacher

and you're making sure that you're doing everything

absolutely correctly.

Number two would be stay determined.

Because if you know that you want to be on the stage,

you have to make sure you can do everything you possibly can

to make sure that can happen.

And number three would be never give up

because if you work really hard and you practise,

you never know what you could do,

you could be on that West End stage or even Broadway.

And concentrate on what you're being taught.

And follow your dream.

Because hard work and willpower could lead you to the top.

Five, six, seven and...

# Teamwork can make the dream work...

# ..To fight. # So, you're here, fight.

One, two, three, four, five, six...

Yes!

-KIDS:

-# Teamwork can make the dream work. #

Good, Harry.

-# Can make the greatest dream come true. #

-Step, face this side.

Salute. Oh, no, no, no!

Would you salute your sergeant

and then go like that, "Hi,"

and then walk the other way?

No, you'd go salute...and go.

Mia, I can't hear you at the moment.

Salute and go! Salute and go!

Don't skip, march.

You need to go like that...huh!

Show me, angry.

Forward, bend. Really aggressive.

-Arrr!

-Yes, but don't smile.

-Do you know what you're doing?

-Yeah.

-Can we go from the beginning?

-KIDS:

-# Teamwork... #

-One...you can stop there.

Make sure that you jump to the side ready to go.

-KIDS:

-# To begin... #

No! No, no, no.

One...

# Teamwork, can make a dream work... #

-Coming forward...

-# ..if you've got the will to... #

-..and right to front.

-# ..win. #

I really want to be in this production,

so all I need to do is just try my hardest and hopefully I'll get in.

I was really excited but quite nervous at the same time

because I've got this huge opportunity

and I don't want to waste it.

My experience so far has made me even more determined

to be a performer.

I'm feeling like I've made the right decision trying to be a performer.

Well done, Harry. Having heard you sing for the first time,

I think you've got a lovely voice, you've got really good potential

but you've just got to work on making more noise.

Mia, I think you've got a lovely voice too,

you've just got to really work on the ends of words

so the audience understand exactly what you're saying.

Harry and Mia, what I need you to do now is make sure that your character

is really strong, your movements are 100% committed

and then, hopefully, we can put you into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Craig Revel Horwood has a reputation for speaking his mind on Strictly.

As much shape as a broomstick.

Like watching a stalk that had been struck by lightning.

LAUGHTER He also has a wealth

of theatrical experience.

It's really important to follow your dream.

It was my dream to be in musicals

and you have to put a lot of hard work and effort into it

and you have to stick with it through thick and thin

because you don't always get the jobs that you want.

And you have to understand that it is largely due to a lot of hard work

and determination and effort

and through that, you gain enormous rewards and look at me now,

I'm on television talking about dance and criticising people.

I get to direct loads and loads of fantastic shows

and I get to choreograph fantastic dancers.

-Well, you two look like you've been working hard.

-Yeah.

There's no time for a rest. Do you know what you're doing next?

-BOTH:

-Wardrobe.

-That's right, come with me.

The rookies are visiting the costume department

to lend a hand making and distressing the sewer kid costumes.

-Go.

-Oh, yeah, look at that.

It's starting to get

very second-hand.

-What do you think about that?

-That is very good.

-Really good.

-I'm quite pleased with that.

-SHE LAUGHS

-Yeah, that's how you do it.

You're a pro at this, Alex.

I am.

My three top tips for cheese grating a top are...

These may seem like strange techniques but Harry and Mia

are trying to make the clothes look old and tatty.

Every little detail is important in the theatre.

-That looks good.

-This is quite fun.

Don't try this at home.

Done my trousers.

-They are very dirty.

-Do you like my shirt?

-What do you think?

-Brilliant.

-Are they up to scratch?

Could they appear in the show one day?

I think they can definitely appear in the show.

Costumes complete, now onto wardrobe.

-Hi, guys!

-KIDS:

-Hi.

-Welcome.

This is the costume quick-change area.

We have to set out all the costumes on the chairs before the show

and I wondered if you could give me a hand.

First of all, we've got some black trousers

and then we've got these lovely Morris dancer costumes.

Then we've got some trousers,

we've got some striped socks, a white shirt,

a lovely purple waistcoat to put over there,

purple trousers to match and then a lovely matching stripy purple shirt.

And that's it. I'm going to leave you to it

and I'll be back in about ten minutes to see how well you've done.

-OK? See you in a bit.

-Thanks.

-Bye.

Gosh, were you paying attention?

-No.

-Could you remember what order everything goes in?

-No.

-Well, come on, we haven't got long. So...

-Black trousers, black trousers.

-Black trousers, yeah.

She was very keen that things shouldn't get creased.

I'm going to run in,

"Where's my Morris dancing costume? Where is...?"

I think this is the shirt that goes with it.

Does it look Morris dancer-ish?

-I'd wear that to do Morris dancing, wouldn't you?

-Yeah.

-Good. OK.

You've got a pair of trousers, haven't you, Mia?

Curtain's about to go up in five minutes. Don't panic! Don't panic!

-We're not panicking, you are.

-Yes...

Why am I doing it? It's your task.

I don't want to work in musical theatre.

-I'm going to sit over here.

-What about the sash?

-The sash!

-What happens with the sash?

I didn't see this and we haven't seen this hat.

Come on, you've got to make a decision, you've got to decide.

The waistcoat goes over.

You've not got long. Come on, hurry up.

Don't crease it! What you doing? Stripy shirt! Stripy shirt!

Look, stripy shirt. Claire's coming back.

-Hi, how are we doing?

-KIDS:

-Good.

Do you really get to do it that fast?

Yes, I do have to set some costumes very fast.

So, should we get them to iron the stuff that they've got crumpled?

I'm going to let you go and I'll sort out the ironing.

Hanging out the clothes is very stressful.

I'm really unorganised and you had to keep everything

so nice and straight

and I kept on getting it really creased.

I think I'll stick with performing.

I did find it really interesting to find out what goes on backstage.

Harry and Mia, some things were, you know, a little bit creased

and I had to re-iron a few things but you did brilliantly

and I'm sure the actors would have got on stage in perfect time.

You've had incredible behind-the-scenes access,

you've done some amazing things,

you've done loads of singing and dancing and rehearsals

but now it's the icing on the cake.

You're going to get a chance to rehearse on the stage itself

with the actual cast.

Now, this is your last chance to impress the mentors.

So, go out there, give it everything you've got and break a leg.

-We will.

-OK.

-See you.

-I'll be watching, see you.

Before the final rehearsal, Harry, Mia and the rest of the cast

warm up their vocal cords.

Ahhhhhh...

You sound like you could use a warm up too, Alex.

-KIDS:

-# Teamwork can make... #

-JO:

-Stop there! Stop there!

Sorry, sorry, sorry. Get to your lines.

No, no, no, stop there. What's gone wrong here?

Decision time is only minutes away

and Jo expects the rookies to be perfect.

# Yes, teamwork, can make the dream work

# If you have got the will

# To win. #

Good show, thank you.

If you guys just stay behind a second.

DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS

All the rookies' theatrical efforts have been leading up to this moment,

they're about to find out if they've made the grade

to appear in tonight's performance.

Harry and Mia have done all they can

but are they good enough to appear in the show?

It's up to mentors Andrew and Jo to decide.

It's over to you guys.

LOUD HEARTBEAT

Well, for me, I think you've practised really hard,

we gave you a lot of notes, a lot of advice on the singing

and reaching the high notes but from the music department,

I think it's a yes for us, I think you should do the show tonight.

After a shaky start, Harry's vocal perseverance

looks like it's paid off with a yes from the music department.

The rookies aren't over the line yet though

and Mia will be anxious to hear

if her efforts have been enough

to get the thumbs up from Jo.

I would be happy for you to go on tonight in the sewer scene.

-Are you excited?

-What do you think about that?

-KIDS:

-Yeah!

-Fantastic!

Great news for our rookies.

It's the decision they were both pinning their hopes on

but there's no time for celebrations yet.

Curtain up is in about 45 minutes, so you'd better get backstage

and get your costumes on.

Well done, you two. Fantastic!

Working in musical theatre isn't only down to performing on stage,

there are loads of people who have to perform just as well off stage.

The director's involvement is massive,

from design and planning right through to the final performance.

There are also writers and designers, prop makers,

costume people, make-up artists, painters, joiners, drivers,

chaperones and lots more besides.

The lighting designer helps create the atmosphere.

They help convey the time of day

and any special dramatic effects within the show.

This is a hugely important job.

For a lighting technician to follow someone around the stage

with a spotlight takes amazing skill.

-Next!

-The casting director advises on the best performer for each role.

Casting can take months as they strive to find the perfect actor,

singer or dancer for each part.

The stage manager is crucial in every stage production.

They make sure that the cast are on stage at the right time

and that everything is running like clockwork.

Sets, scenery and props are a crucial part

of any theatrical production as they can really add another dimension

to the performance.

So, how are you feeling? You're going onstage quite soon,

-what's the feeling you've got now?

-I've got a real buzz.

-I'm really excited.

-Good.

But there's something missing? You look a bit too squeaky-clean.

-I'm going to get you some make-up, don't worry.

-Are you sure?

-Let's have a look, there you go.

-Yeah.

-There you go, look at that.

-Yeah, Alex! Alex!

-Alex!

-He's been in the sewers now.

-OK, bye.

-Yeah, bye.

What on earth am I going to do?

OK, better get started.

The doors are open, the theatre is packed and the show has started.

It's nearly time for Mia and Harry's big moment.

OK, guys, this is it.

The moment of truth, it's your scene in a few minutes.

I can't go any further, it's over to you now.

So, go on there, give it everything you've got...

-We will.

-..and break a leg...

-OK.

-See you.

..not literally.

After all their hard work,

Harry and Mia's big moment has finally arrived.

CAST SING

# Yes, teamwork can make the dream work

# Can make the greatest dreams come true

# Teamwork can make the dream work

# If you're not afraid to fight

# Teamwork can make the dream work

# If we fight for

# What is right

# Though it seems our dream's impossible to do

# Great teams make the possibilities come true

# So when you start out

# Let all your heart out

# And never stop what you begin

# Cos teamwork can make the dream work

# If you have got the will to win

-Come on!

-# Yes, teamwork

# Will make the dream work

# If you have got the will

# To win. #

APPLAUSE

Hey, guys, that was brilliant! How do you feel?

-Amazing!

-I'm buzzing!

-I'm not surprised.

But hang on, you've got to go back on stage to take your bows,

-haven't you?

-OK.

-So, I'll see you later. Go on, get up there quick!

-BOTH:

-OK, bye!

ALL: # Chitty Bang Bang

# Chitty Bang Bang

# Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

# Chitty Bang Bang

# Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

# Fine four-fendered Chitty Chitty friend! #

APPLAUSE

Performing on a stage in a show was not something that I expected to do

when I came here.

It's basically a dream come true, isn't it?

I was really happy when they said I was able to perform on the stage.

I was doing my end position in Teamwork

where I had my arm raised,

it was really cool

because I just got to stay there

and look at the audience.

Harry, when you are on stage, you seem to come alive.

You're really confident, you really seem to enjoy yourself

and you did a brilliant job.

I know that in the rehearsal room earlier you kind of struggled a bit

remembering the words but then when you got on stage with everybody,

you really got all those words out with the character, so well done.

Mia, you've done really, really well.

I think you move brilliantly,

you were really committed when you were singing

and I think you've got a great future.

I know in the rehearsal room earlier you did struggle a bit

with the choreography but then tonight when I was watching you,

you got them both together, so it was brilliant.

I think the most important thing for musical theatre is confidence.

I think you need to be very professional.

You need to be able to sing, dance and act,

be as versatile as you possibly can.

To be able to go out of yourself sometimes to express yourself

but I do think the most important thing of musical theatre

is storytelling.

Harry and Mia have had an amazing insight

into making a successful theatre production.

They've impressed the mentors and a paying audience

with their singing and dancing talents

but have they got what it takes to make it as professional performers?

It's not an easy thing just to come into a show, walk in, make friends

and learn the material and you've both done really, really well.

So, I think if this is anything to go by,

if you keep working hard and keep enjoying it so much,

then I think you've both got a real future.

All the things that you learnt to do,

whether it be in the wardrobe or in the rehearsal room,

you achieved a lot in a short amount of time,

so I can only see that you'll probably be on the stage

if you can learn that quickly and achieve that quickly. Well done.

Well, Harry and Mia, it's the end of the show

but you've done some incredible stuff,

you've found out all about what happens backstage.

You've actually got to take part in a proper professional show.

How was the experience for you?

I think the experience has just been great for me.

I've loved every second of it and it's just been an all-round

really nice thing to do.

-And you, Mia?

-It's literally been the best experience ever

and I've enjoyed every single second of it.

OK, the moment of truth.

Do you still want to be professional performers

working in musical theatre?

-Yes!

-Harry?

-Definitely.

Yeah? OK. Hang on a minute, you're still wearing your costumes.

First rule of musical theatre,

always get changed back into your own clothes after the show.

Go on, you'd better clear off!

Didn't they do well?