Episode 7 The Big Performance

-Ten kids terrified of singing in public...

-Hey, don't cry.

-What's happened?

-I don't want to do it.

-Two soloists, Chris and Oli.

..must undergo the toughest performance challenges.

-You must be extra-nervous.

-I'm still shaking and I don't know why.

Today, they get a real taste of stage fright...

I'm just really scared.

..when a West End star prepares them for action.

Could you do it? This is The Big Performance.

# Ah-ah, ah-ah-ah, ah, ah

# Ooh, ooh, ooh

# Yeah

# Ooh, ooh, ooh

# Ah-ah-ah, ah, ah

# Oh, oh... #

These shy singers are on a musical tour of the country

with top choirmaster Gareth Malone.

With time running out before they perform at Proms In The Park

in four weeks, the pressure is mounting.

We're going to perform in public and I feel quite nervous.

-Last time, the group rocked out with Barney.

-It's so much fun.

And their busking performance raised more than just a crowd.

You raised two hundred and fourteen pounds.

But today, the stakes are raised even higher

when they perform in front of a packed-out theatre.

I'm not thinking about the audience. Just the song and the words.

Today, the Big Performance tour bus is heading south to Birmingham.

With so many entertainment venues,

this city has played host to some of the best music acts

from all over the world. It's also home to Miriyah.

The group is getting better and better all the time.

They're gaining confidence.

I'm looking for a really sparkly performance

that draws the audience in like never before.

I don't think they will have heard of the style of music for this week,

but I think they'll really enjoy it.

They're performing it in front of the biggest audience they've seen.

They'll be very frightened.

With their audiences growing bigger and bigger,

Gareth's singers must brace themselves for this challenge.

He's brought them to the Birmingham Hippodrome that holds 2,000 people.

It's stop number seven on the Big Performance bus.

And this week, the style of music is glam rock.

Queen and David Bowie were pioneers of glam rock back in the late '70s.

But current acts Pink, Mika and Lady Gaga have all contributed

to its recent popularity.

The key to being a glam rock star is about being so confident,

so outrageous, so big in your personality

that you just wow the audience.

This week's soloist will have their work cut out.

-Isthaque...

-Yes?

-It isn't you.

-I knew it wasn't.

LAUGHTER

-Jordan...

-Yeah?

-Jordan...

-Yeah?

-It could be you.

But it isn't because it's Miriyah.

# Hello, hello... #

My favourite style of music is R&B.

My favourite song is Hello by Beyonce.

I like all types of music, but my least favourite is opera.

-OK, Miriyah, are you ready for a glam rock solo?

-No.

I'm very nervous about the solo

cos I don't know much about glam rock.

I think they'll be seriously shocked and not a little bit frightened

when they find out what their challenge is this time. Seriously.

This theatre showcases everything

from opera, ballet, musicals, pantomime and drama.

It's an intimidating place when it's empty,

so imagine how the group will feel when it's packed.

-What do you think?

-Amazing.

-It's amazing, isn't it?

I've brought you here because, later on,

you'll be doing your performance in here, but there's a twist

because it's going to be in front of your first paying audience.

That means there will be nearly 2,000 people in that audience.

When I walked out on to that stage,

my belly nearly fell out. I looked at it and thought it was massive.

Performing in front of paying guests makes me feel nervous

because if we're bad, what's the point of paying to see us?

So, Miriyah, later on, you're going to be stood about here.

And you will be looking right out there, all those seats full.

-How are you feeling?

-Angry.

-You're feeling angry with me?

-Yes.

-Really?

It's going to be fine. Do you think you can do it...?

No.

I think Miriyah is a little bit upset. She's quite scared.

But I know that she'll be brilliant.

She doesn't yet believe it, but I believe in her.

An audience of 2,000 is the largest the group have performed to yet.

But in just four weeks, they'll face a crowd of 40,000

at Proms In The Park and one of them will be singing the solo.

Which was met with a very unenthusiastic response

from the petrified singers at the first stop on the tour.

-Chris, you want to do it?

-What?

-Does anyone fancy that?

-No, cos they'll boo you.

-They won't boo you.

Gareth wants them to understand the scale of the challenge

for whoever is picked to sing the solo.

This is Proms In The Park.

# Land of hope and glory... #

Oh, my gosh!

40,000 people.

# How shall we extol thee...

# ..make thee mightier yet. #

Who feels that they might want to do the solo?

Oh! That's brilliant.

After eight weeks on the Big Performance tour,

these desperately shy singers have blossomed.

I'm absolutely delighted. What's changed?

I've become more confident because I have done solos in front of people.

Howard, do you want to go for it?

Yes, I want to have a go and feel more confident in life.

In the space of just a short few weeks,

we've gone from nobody wanting to do this solo

to all these people putting their hands up.

This is about building up confidence and you can see the difference.

Will their positivity last when they hear today's track?

The song for glam rock is Somebody To Love by Queen.

Hands up if you know it... Great.

-# Somebody

-Somebody

-Ooh, somebody

# Can anybody find me

# Somebody to love...? #

Somebody To Love was written in 1976 by Queen front man Freddie Mercury.

It has since been covered by countless artists,

including George Michael, G4 and Joe McElderry.

# But everybody wants to put me down

# They say I'm goin' crazy... #

This song also features in the hit West End musical We Will Rock You.

The show is based entirely on the music of Queen.

Somebody To Love is sung by the lead character Scaramouche,

a girl teased for being different, something the group can relate to.

We've got a fantastic singer - Sarah French.

Sarah plays the current lead in the hit West End show.

# Each morning I get up, I die a little

# Can barely stand on my feet... #

Sarah understands all about confronting nerves

as she performs this song to a packed audience every day.

# To lo-o-o-ove... #

APPLAUSE

With Sarah's help, Gareth wants the group to understand

a glam rock performance needs attitude

and an exaggerated personality.

-"I've spent all my years in believing you."

-Did you believe that?

-I didn't, no.

-Neither did I.

The important elements to remember while singing Somebody To Love

are to connect with the lyrics. It's a glam rock song.

Exaggerate all the movements and just believe in what you're singing.

# Each morning I get up, I die a little

# Can barely stand on my feet

# Take a look in the mirror and cry

# Lord, what you're doing to me... #

If you've been an outsider or you're not wearing the right clothes,

if you've ever felt like that,

remember that emotion and put it into the song.

# Each morning I get up, I die a little

# Can barely stand on my feet... #

Sarah's coaching has paid off.

The song lyrics have struck a chord with the group.

The song has a strong message to me because I used to get picked on.

The bullies made me not think it's cool to sing.

But you want to be your own person.

The song is really relevant to me

because at my school, none of my friends sing and I'm singing.

It's like they think it's kind of weird and cheesy.

They got into Somebody To Love really well.

They know it, they like it.

I just want them to really give it some energy and feisty attitude.

Later, Miriyah will be singing her solo

to a theatre packed with a paying audience.

The only concern I have is the fact that it's front of 2,000 people,

but anything else, I have no problem.

12-year-old Miriyah, the youngest of three,

loves nothing more than making up songs and dressing like a pop star.

But her fear of people making fun of her

has stopped her singing in front of anyone.

These insecurities were clear when Gareth first met her.

What was the worst thing?

At primary school, people made fun of my singing.

-That must have been very upsetting.

-Yeah.

# I've spent all my years believing you... #

Since being on the Big Performance tour,

Miriyah's belief in her singing ability has gradually grown.

Can her past help her shine in today's solo?

# Somebody to love... #

-Is this a song you can relate to?

-Yes, if I want to.

Have you ever been bullied in the past or felt you're not...?

Primary school. They said I can't sing.

I didn't want to put my hand up for parts in the plays.

You held yourself back. Is this at the root of your fear about singing?

You need to put some of that angst and irritation into the singing,

so we get that glam rock attitude.

Gareth has a technique to help her be more assertive in her singing.

You've got to push her on every single word.

# Every day, I try and I try and I try, but... #

SHE STARTS TO LAUGH

# Every day, I try and I try and I try

# But everybody's bringing me down

# They say I'm goin' crazy

-# Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah... #

-Awesome!

I think the song is going to be a great song for me to perform

because I can prove to some people that told me I can't sing that I can.

# Somebody to love... #

The big question for me is - is she going to just get through the song

or is she going to sing with glam rock attitude and wow the audience?

The group have the rock,

but they are yet to find the glam, so Gareth has a plan.

In there I've got a dressing-up box that will put Lady Gaga's to shame.

Come and have a look.

This is Lydia, the fashion stylist from teenage magazine Mizz.

Oh, cool!

Jo will be doing hair, make-up and wigs in the corner.

And then finally, it's going to be in that magazine

on a two-page spread.

Oh, good!

Let the mayhem commence.

Glam rock is all about attitude

and nothing screams attitude more than a Lady Gaga-style outfit.

Gareth hopes this treasure chest of delights will transform the group.

-It's a bit frightening.

-This is their first ever photo shoot.

The previously timid group needs

to shed their inhibitions and dare to be glam.

Oh, that's brilliant.

It seems the boys' enthusiasm for a bit of rock glamour

-is rubbing off on Gareth.

-I'm thinking of a change of career.

Surprisingly, it's the girls who can't summon up their inner Gaga.

That looks really good. Oh, that's great.

You're destroying my hair.

It's scary. I've got a big lobster on my head.

It takes some inspiration from Jo and the great Gaga

for the girls to let go of their shyness.

I like the eyelashes.

Shall we get started on it?

Look how wild they are!

It's really fun to dress up as a glam rock star.

It's more like Lady Gaga. She IS a glam rock star.

They look absolutely brilliant. That will help them get into it.

These glam rock stars may look good enough for a top teenage magazine,

but the challenge doesn't end there.

Right. You are going in these outfits to go and strut your stuff

with real glam rock attitude through the streets of Birmingham.

-OK! Yeah!

-Let's go!

Do they have the confidence and glam rock arrogance

to do their photo shoot on a busy street? This challenge will test

the self-conscious group to their limits.

A few weeks ago, they were afraid singing made them look stupid.

-I'll lose my friends.

-All your friends? Do you really think that?

People start saying, "I'm not going to sing," it'll all fall apart.

OK, guys. This is your challenge.

I want you to get off the bus one at a time,

walk down the steps, making a series of fabulous poses.

And then walk back. Simple as that.

Today, soloist Miriyah is first in line to parade her new look.

-How are you feeling?

-Scared. But I'll get it over and done with.

Brilliant. Off you go.

With the crowd gathering outside...

-I have a lobster on my head!

-You look great! Gorgeous!

Imagine they're all lobsters!

Brilliant. Go for it.

Five poses. OK, go.

Count the poses, everyone. We want to see a real glam rocker.

Someone's looking at me like I'm a freak!

-You'll get a round of applause.

-I'm not going.

Image-conscious Miriyah loses her nerve. At her audition,

she worried about how she looks.

I want to be confident and walk out wearing shorts or leggings.

-Normally I put jeans and a big jumper on.

-You'd like to be more confident

about what you wear and who you are. Yeah?

-It seems she's still struggling.

-It's going to be really fun.

I don't want to go!

-I'm not doing it. I don't care.

-Come on, Miriyah.

She refuses to leave the safety of the bus, but with the crowd growing,

-someone needs to go next.

-Chloe?

-Yes.

-You can do this, yeah?

-Big, confident attitude. Go on!

-Embracing her new look,

Chloe steps up.

Yeah! Go on!

Her courage pays off as the public like what they see.

You did so well! High five!

For the first time ever, the others forget about what others think

and follow Chloe's lead.

Whoo!

-What did you think?

-Horrible!

Well done, Ollie!

Yeah! Work it, Howard!

That is glam rock attitude. That's how you do it.

All but one of these glam rockers has risen to the challenge.

Will Miriyah find the courage?

No one will recognise you. You look completely different.

Do you want to do it on your own? Go for it! Yes!

Having previously clammed up, Miriyah comes out of her shell

-and faces her worst fear head-on.

-Well done!

You did it! This is all about not worrying if you look silly.

You looked great. It was fun.

These guys are under-confident and scared of the public.

This was the hardest thing imaginable.

I think they started to enjoy it and get over that worry.

As the group cram in some extra practice, Katie takes control.

I'm Gareth Malone and I'm going to teach you this song. Louder, people!

Louder!

Gareth has a challenge to help Miriyah let go of her insecurities.

After being bullied at primary school, she's so self-conscious

she's never even sung in front of her mum. That's about to change.

Who do you think is inside?

It's your entire family.

-You going to be able to do this?

-I have to.

-You do have to.

It's really important to overcome this and become the singer you are.

-Can you do it?

-Yeah.

-Let's go.

'I'm feeling scared right now.'

I don't like singing in front of my family.

I wish Miriyah had more confidence to sing in front of the family.

I hope today's the start.

Miriyah! Welcome to your family barbecue and let's go for it.

You have to face your audience.

Can Miriyah put her demons to rest

by showing her family her talent?

# Each morning I get up I die a little

# I can barely stand on my feet

# Take a look in the mirror and cry

# Lord, what you doing to me

# I spent all my years believing you But I just can't get no relief, Lord

# Somebody, somebody

# Can anybody find me

# Somebody to

# Lo-ove? #

CHEERING

Miriyah, let's have a bow.

-Wasn't she brilliant?

-Yes!

-Absolutely!

-Look, your mum's crying it was so good!

Look at their faces. That's joy that you've created.

You did that with your singing.

I do feel a bit proud that I've sung in front of them now.

I've learnt you just give it your all.

I couldn't believe that voice was coming from my little girl.

The way she stood there, it touched me. It really did.

Yes! Brilliant! I couldn't have asked for anything better

in the time she's had. Fantastic. She's got a lovely voice.

I just hope she does that for the people at the Hippodrome.

A good tip for a top glam rock performance is an onstage persona,

something these celebrities know.

If you are a personality onstage, you're a bigger version of yourself.

You have to be that personality.

Energy, energy, energy. Just keep it going.

If you provide the crowd with energy, they feed it back.

Command the stage.

It's about personality, delivering that performance.

With half an hour to curtain up, Gareth uses every last minute.

-# Find me... #

-Strong!

# Somebody to... #

-Strong!

-# ..love! #

This is a glam rock performance

and the group need to reach out to every person in the audience.

The breath has got to be early, so again...

# Each morning I get up I die a little

# Can barely stand on my feet... #

The theatregoers will expect 100% from their performance.

-# I've spent all my years... #

-I want more edge!

'This is 2,000 paying guests.

'To win this size of audience over,'

they need to up the ante and give that glam rock attitude.

A small performance won't work.

The group head off to get changed as final preparations are made.

As the seats fill up, the reality of what they've to do is sinking in.

I'm trying not to think about the audience. Just the song.

Words can't explain it. I'm scared!

This is really frightening.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

# Can anybody...

# ..find me...

# ..somebody to...

# ..love?

# Each morning I get up I die a little

# Can barely stand on my feet

# Take a look in the mirror and cry

# Lord, what you're doing to me

# I've spent all my years in believing in you

# But I just can't get no relief

-# Somebody

-Somebody

# Can anybody find me somebody to love?

LOUD CHEERS

# Every day I try and I try and I try

# But everybody puts me down They say I'm going crazy

# They say I got a lot of water on my brain

# I got no common sense I've got nobody left to believe

# Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

# Find me somebody to love Find me somebody to love

# Find me somebody to love Find me somebody to love

# Can anybody find me

# Somebody to...

# ..lo-ove? #

CHEERING

This was a massive challenge for such inexperienced performers,

but they've pulled it off and there's a great response.

APPLAUSE CONTINUES

That was nerve-racking.

-For the first time, they feel a real sense of pride.

-Brilliant!

It was one of our best performances.

We just went on there and we gave it our all.

I am so proud of you. Miriyah! Fantastic. Did you enjoy it?

When they cheered, I wanted to jump up and down!

I felt really happy.

That was so good. There was an electricity in the air.

And what was amazing was that they enjoyed performing.

As soon as they heard that audience roar with approval, the smiles!

It was brilliant.

The group needed to put on a glam rock performance that sparkled.

Onstage, they put into practice everything I told them

and pulled off a performance of real energy. Fabulous.

We're starting to get a group who can really sing, who can enjoy it

and do it in front of a big audience, in front of Hyde Park.

I haven't made up my mind about the soloist, but Miriyah raised the bar.

She's proved she can be relied upon in front of a big audience.

Next time on The Big Performance, it's all about pop music.

-Choreographer Cisco Gomez puts them through their paces.

-This is hard.

Isthaque goes back to school to face his worst nightmare.

And they go starry-eyed performing to the hottest boy band around -

-The Wanted.

-I thought we'd go like, "Ohhh!"

Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd - 2010

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