Episode 11 School for Stars

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Many people dream of fame, success and life in the spotlight.

But few realise it takes years of hard work.

We're visiting one of the most famous stage schools in Britain...

Motivation, commitment, let's do it.

It's got to be sharp, guys.

..where pupils learn to cope

with rivalry, sacrifice and rejection every day.

Russell Brand, Pixie Lott and Leona Lewis all studied here,

but this series is about the talent of tomorrow.

This is the School For Stars.

Coming up...

the tears flow as Jade says goodbye to one of her closest friends.

She can't leave, I miss her so much.

This will change the whole school.

Paul's dreams of performing at the Gala turn into a nightmare.

Getting really nervous - this is really important to me.

And Mary feels the fear as rehearsals get intense.

We've done the most awful rehearsal possible.

That was like...a meltdown.

I'm very, erm, scared now.

At The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts,

the summer term is drawing to a close.

Every young person here is taught to sing, dance and act

to a professional standard, as well as the regular academic subjects.

Everyone here has a favourite lesson.

For year eight Millie, it's definitely dance.

I've always wanted to be a dancer,

always, since I was two-and-a-half, three.

But it's hard balancing the dance training with normal schoolwork.

For me, I find the academics here so hard to catch up and keep up

and keep on top of it, because of the dancing and all the other things.

And so Millie and her parents have decided she needs a radical change -

a change of school.

I'm going to a normal school now, a private, all-girls school.

We thought it would be better if I get my education

somewhere else, and then do what I love outside school.

I'm not giving up on my dreams of being a dancer.

Millie will be leaving Ella and all her friends behind.

One particular friend is on her mind...

I'm going to miss Jade the most.

This year, we've got so close. I'll miss her so much.

She's the nicest person ever, she's so nice to everyone.

Catch!

Ella, do you need one?

She makes me laugh with her laugh!

You'll hear my laugh in my new school, don't worry.

Ha-ha-ha! You're such an idiot!

Jade is devastated that one of her closest friends is leaving.

I started in year six, and so did she.

So she's been here ever since I've been here.

And she's leaving now...

which is, erm...

really scary.

I don't want her to leave.

Millie's leaving forever, and it's going to be emotional

for her and for Jade, Ella and all of their friends.

Emotion and excitement are running high all over the school.

It's final rehearsal time for the Centenary Gala -

the biggest event of the year is now just days away.

I can't wait. It's the thrill of excitement before a show.

-It's the biggest thing of the year.

-It's massive.

The Centenary Shows will run for six nights in a famous London theatre

and end with a huge gala on the closing night.

-It's the biggest stage I've ever been on.

-Everyone will be nervous.

It will be bigger than anything we've done.

The cast will be changed every night

to give as many students as possible their moment in the spotlight.

There's industry professionals watching, so it's a chance for us.

It's so big, it's just this huge monster.

All over the school, last-minute rehearsals are taking place.

Paul, a senior, has several dancing roles in the gala.

This was his final chance to perfect his routines,

but he's fractured his thumb.

For now, all he can do is watch.

I was doing a lift, and my thumb went backwards.

I got it checked out, and he said, yeah, you've fractured it.

So...!

Oh, well, bad times.

Paul's main role in the gala is as a lifter.

It's very physical, lifting a dance partner in the air.

I've been picked for four or five different dance numbers,

and this jeopardises it - it's really irritating.

Lifting without an arm, it's not ideal, is it?!

Paul has been at the school for two years,

and is determined to make a career in the West End.

I want to do this for the rest of my life.

This injury could not only ruin his gala chances,

but could jeopardise his future career.

I could be off for months. I can move it and that...

Everyone cringes when I do that!

It's like, you're not supposed to move it!

Paul has a hospital appointment to find out

if he can start training again.

If he doesn't get the all-clear, he could be out of the gala.

-How's your thumb?

-It's all right.

I'm going to the fracture clinic today, so...

-Fingers crossed.

-Yeah!

It's not just his routines that might be affected.

Thrust...

Paul is currently in training for a stage-fighting exam.

Pupils are taught using special swords.

It's not easy, and has to be learned under close supervision

by professionals.

Because of his fractured right thumb, Paul is having to learn

to fight left-handed.

So what do I do?

I have to work out which way he'll be coming at me.

It's all completely different, it's all on the other side.

So yeah, it's a bit confusing, but we hope it'll be OK in the exam.

-Bless you.

-With practice over,

Paul heads to the hospital to get an X-ray done -

it's a tense time.

Just getting really nervous and... This is really important to me.

So, fingers crossed it all goes well!

So much depends on the results of Paul's examination,

but will it be make...or break?

Pixie Lott and Leona Lewis used to walk these corridors.

The school is full of pupils who'd love to follow in their footsteps.

One such young person is singer-songwriter Mary.

# Thinkin' of you

# Thinkin' of you... #

My passion is singing.

I write my own music as well as just covering songs.

# Oh, I wish that I... #

My ambition is to make it as a recording artist

and perform in concerts and festivals

and be loved by everyone!

Mary is talented and committed.

But she gets really nervous about performing live.

When I perform in front of people, I get a bit nervous.

But when I get into the song and feel the music,

I forget about everyone, and it's like I'm singing on my own.

Mary's got a major challenge ahead,

with a lead role in the Centenary Shows,

singing two Christina Aguilera songs.

Today is her first rehearsal.

My role is of Christina, which is the main girl, that has the solo.

And it's really important that I get

the routine and my singing right to show that I can do it,

otherwise my role will be taken from me.

First, Mary and her friend Tate need to get six heavy dance bars

into the studio, down three flights of stairs.

Right, I'm going to lift it above my head, Mary...

That's cool, that's good.

Don't stop, let's just go the whole way.

Yep, I'm doing that.

Keep going!

-Wait, my bar's slipping out!

-Just go!

Oh, my!

Twist now, twist now.

Thank you.

One bar down, five to go, but Mary's got a new plan of attack.

-Guys, we need six people to bring down some bars.

-I'll do it!

Taking the rehearsal is gala director Hayley Newton,

who choreographed Take That's live shows.

Mary knows she's working with the best.

I'm feeling the pressure, big time.

It is going to be hard. But you've just got to try really hard.

Down, up, out... Good.

Bop, bop, shimmy. Bop, bop, shimmy.

Out, down, round-two-three-head.

Roll, hit, jump, head-head, all change.

One more time, let's go again.

The struggle in this number is the fact that I've got to sing

really high notes, whilst dancing a full-out routine.

As Mary learns her moves, she only has to sing along to the track,

but even that will be tough, because this routine is full-on.

# Lookin' for a good time Gonna make that, shake that... #

Make that, shake that...

Should be perfection.

One, two, three, four, head! One, two-and-three-and-four, head!

We say!

# Give it up, give it up

# Give it up, give it up... #

In, out... Good!

Jump, up...

OK, we'll stop there.

It's an exhausting routine, and at its finale,

Mary has to sing a huge note.

Yeah, yeah-yeah, ye-e-e-e-ah...

It might be in tune, but this note is the hardest part of the routine.

In the performance, everyone in the audience will need to hear it.

It was a lot harder than I thought. I haven't really sung and danced

at the same time like that before, it's a bit of a first time thing.

Things will have to improve before the dress run,

and Mary's already stressing about it.

At the end, you know that note? I just can't breathe.

Mary will have to perform the full routine to Hayley,

with all the dance moves, and belting out that big final note.

It's her last chance to prove she can do it.

All over the school, final lessons are taking place.

For year seven Paris, this marks the end of her first term.

She has dreams of becoming a singer.

I'm worried that I might not make any friends, but hopefully I will.

While her singing classes went well...

-# ..for a penny. #

-Great.

..she really struggled with her dancing.

It's just, I got confused on which way to go.

I wish I could just go home right now.

We have got to the end of the first year!

Today is Paris's final English class,

and they're writing about their best memories from the term.

Friendships, laughs and gossip...

I thought the school would be really fun and amazing.

Paris, how about you?

-Learning dances, that was really fun.

-You enjoyed that...

It seems despite her difficulties,

dancing is now one of her favourite lessons.

I've improved so much, and I'm so much more confident.

As well as doing well in her lessons,

she's also met new best friends Molly and Georgia.

-We're like that right now.

-We've decided to move to LA when we're 18.

It seems as the term has gone on, the American dreams have got bigger.

When we move to LA, Molly wants to be a director,

Georgia I think wants to be an actress, and so I'll be a singer.

How high can you go?

-I can...

-Oop!

Paris fits in in our group really well.

We have so much fun hanging out with each other.

SHE SCREAMS

Before any of the pupils hit Hollywood,

there's lots of hard work to be done.

Eloise and others are recording backing vocals for the gala.

We're back!

Eloise has one of the main roles, and is singing on the closing night.

Karen wants to see how Eloise does in the recording booth

alongside the best senior singers,

to check she's made the right choice.

-Let's get you in there, darlings.

-I'm working with third year girls.

It's really nice, I'm a first year, I'm fresh to this,

and I've been selected - it's really boosted my confidence,

I'm really thankful.

They'll be singing live at the gala,

but they're recording backing vocals to help them keep time on the night.

Here we go, from the top.

# All of the beautiful people, shining like diamonds

# They got no problems... #

Can we just soften it up a bit when we get to those

# All of the beautiful people...?

# Beautiful

# Beautiful... #

For Eloise, the pressure is on.

It's our Centenary year, we've got lots of big names coming to watch,

we want it to be as good as possible, we're celebrating 100 years.

We've got Nathan, our musical director, watching us,

the sound technician, Rob, and Karen listening to us!

The slightest thing that could go wrong, they'll pick up.

# All of the beautiful people shining like diamonds

# They got no problems... #

They want the best out of it, so they keep giving you more comments.

Acting through song, think about it, please.

Energy, no straight singing, make sure bounce is in that voice.

All right? Great, carrying on...

# Beautiful people in love... #

When you're in a studio, you become paranoid about what you're doing,

and you're, like, it's got to be the right line -

just a semitone out will make such a difference on the track.

You've got to know exactly what you're doing.

# Don't ya wanna feel like...? #

Gorgeous!

Recording over, how does the finished product sound?

# Beautiful, beautiful people in love... #

Oh!

It's been a long day. I'm tired, but pleased with how it went.

But does Karen think Eloise has kept up with the older girls?

Eloise sets a standard of her own,

and has always been ahead of her years, vocally.

So it's not a struggle to keep up with anyone else.

It can be the other way around - she's quite special.

For Paul, this afternoon is a big deal.

He's got his crucial fighting exam later on, but first,

something even more important.

The results of his X-rays are back.

If he doesn't get the all-clear, he'll be dropped from the gala,

which could set back his whole career.

Without being too dramatic, if this goes wrong and I'm not in that show,

I'm not going to be seen, and it's one less chance

of possibly getting an agent and going on to a career.

So, a bit of a big deal.

Hi, Paul.

-I'm your consultant. Nice to meet you. Can I have a look?

-That's fine.

-Any pain up there at all?

-No.

-Bend the tip of your thumb.

Pull hard against me. Put your hand down like that.

And just lift your thumb up. Perfect.

After a quick examination, it's time for Paul to find out

if his thumb has healed or not.

-I think you've been quite lucky.

-Thank God.

The fact that it's not tender when I examine you

means whatever injury you sustained has healed.

-Am I able to start lifting on it?

-Yep, do whatever feels comfortable.

-That's cool. Thank you.

-Nice to meet you.

It's great news. Paul's back in the gala!

Happy, man. All good!

And with his thumb given the all- clear, Paul heads back to school,

and his all-important fighting exam.

Paul and Aimee have been learning their routine,

so that Paul can fight with his left hand.

Even though his thumb is fine to use now,

he's decided to carry on with his left hand, but it's much weaker.

-It's a very risky strategy.

-BELL RINGS

Paul and Aimee are called in by the examiners.

I want you to show me what you've been rehearsing, but sell it to me.

-Thank you. Grab your swords...

-The routine over,

Paul and Aimee need to show they know the names of the fight moves.

Both put your swords in a parry of five...

As the examiner calls out the names, Paul and Aimee must show them.

Could you both put your swords in a parry of two...?

Paul and Aimee look unsure...

Paul decides on one position, but Aimee has chosen another.

0K. Thank you both. That's it. We'll see you in a minute.

-Thanks very much.

-See you in a minute.

-We will see both of them again.

-Yeah, that was pretty intense.

It was the terminology at the end.

He said, "Parry two",

and I went like that, and then I went, "Actually, it's that one."

Oh, I did it wrong.

They messed up their last move, but will it cost them the exam?

They're called straight in to get their results.

Let's start with the most horrible thing of the lot...

you've all passed.

Despite their slip-up,

Paul and Amy have passed the exam with a 2:2 grade.

You all hit over the average grade, so you're better than average.

-Which is the third highest grade possible.

-All done.

At least it's above a pass. I would have liked something higher.

I'm really happy with what I got because my head was

kind of all over the place, so I'm really pleased with what I've got.

Amy might be happy,

but even after completing the routine with his weaker hand,

Paul is disappointed with himself.

Ideally, I wanted the best mark possible,

which is a first, but unfortunately I didn't get that.

That's why I'm annoyed. I didn't reach what I aimed for,

which for me is like a fail.

With the gala just around the corner,

Paul's got to pick himself up and move on.

Up in studio six, it's time for Mary's dress run.

And everyone is waiting.

I'm feeling nervous and a bit scared.

She has to perform her solos in front of the gala staff,

and she knows only the best will be good enough for Hayley.

Mary, can I have your song, please?

If she can't pull it off, she's out.

I need to do it right, and if I don't then that's it gone.

So it's quite scary.

Mary's got to get over her nerves if she's going to nail this.

A bit nervous.

And the pressure is starting to show.

OK, can you be quiet?

We're doing Mary's song and I want to hear her sing it.

First, Mary has to sing her big ballad alone

with all her friends watching.

# Can you see that I'm bound in chains?

# I've finally found my way

# I am bound to you

# I am bound to

# I am, oh, I am, I'm bound to you. #

-Good girl.

-Well done.

-Really good.

The high notes, do you feel comfortable with them?

I do but I've got a bit of a, like, blocked nose.

You sounded tight, but you're nervous, that's all.

Mary's nerves are affecting her singing.

It's this atmosphere that makes it a bit more pressure on you.

You feel more nervous cos the people watching are just right there.

And next, she's got the hardest part - singing and dancing

at the same time, building up to that massive final note.

# Yeah, yeah, yeah. #

All right, OK, guys. Let's go on to the next bit.

To save Mary's voice, she'll sing along to the original song,

apart from the final note which Hayley wants to hear live.

One, two, three, four, hey!

Mary performed the dance routine confidently

but now it's time for the big note, can she hit it?

# Yeah, yeah, yeah. #

Yes, OK. Oh, my goodness!

So what's the verdict from Hayley?

Now, yesterday when we did that, it wasn't as frantic.

Now, what happens is, which always happens, the costume goes on,

the shoes go on and it's just dire.

It's like it was never rehearsed in the first place, OK?

So we just need to calm it down.

We've done the most awful rehearsal we possibly ever could have done

and now it can only get better from here, OK?

So what I need you to do is to practise, practise, practise

so it's not going to look like, you know, a meltdown.

Hayley was expecting better and Mary is gutted.

I'm feeling a bit upset. I mean, it didn't go very well.

I want to prove myself and show them they picked the right person.

It means a lot to get it right.

If Mary's struggling with confidence in a small studio,

how will she perform in front of a huge crowd

-on the big night?

-I want to do this for my career,

so I don't want to feel like I can't do it and then

get all upset about it because I can't actually sing.

It's been an emotional time for Jade's friend, Millie.

After four years, she's leaving for good.

She's decided to focus on her education above everything

-and is joining a private all-girls school next year.

-I am a bit scared

of going to a normal school and making new friends and that.

Millie is leaving Ella, Rihanna, Reece, Max, Natasha and Mimi behind.

But no-one is more upset than Jade.

She's like the mum of year eight is leaving.

And it's not going to be the same.

Millie's lessons are over, but before she leaves,

the headmaster calls a special assembly.

I think we all simply want to wish you all the very, very best.

And to send her off in style, Jade and the rest of year eight

have prepared a DVD to say goodbye.

-Love you, Millie.

-Love you, Millie.

THEY LAUGH

Don't go. Please.

I love you, Millie.

THEY LAUGH

Don't go!

-Bye, Millie.

-Good luck to my favourite girl in the whole world.

I'll see you at the Oscars.

ALL: Bye, Millie. Love you.

I'm so sad. I'm going to miss everyone so much.

I think today it just hit everyone that she won't be here any more.

I'm leaving a lot of friends here.

I've made so many friends here.

I love her to pieces. I'm going to miss her.

It's not always that easy letting go.

It may mean letting go of your fears.

# Yeah... #

..moving on from a familiar place, or saying goodbye to a friend.

It can be hard,

but letting go means a new adventure is just about to start.

Next time on School For Stars... it's the moment the school

has been building up to all year - it's time for the Centenary shows.

I want you to perform like never before.

-Jade and Reece get nervous.

-We've been working all year for this.

And will a last-minute problem stop Max from performing?

-My voice is really hurting.

-This is life at the School For Stars.

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