0:00:02 > 0:00:07Many people dream of fame, success and life in the spotlight.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11But few realise it takes years of hard work.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13We're going behind the scenes
0:00:13 > 0:00:16of one of the most famous stage schools in Britain...
0:00:16 > 0:00:19- Motivation, commitment, let's do it. - It's got to be sharp, guys.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22..where pupils learn to cope with rivalry,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25sacrifice and rejection every day.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29Russell Brand, Pixie Lott and Leona Lewis all studied here
0:00:29 > 0:00:32but this series is about the talent of tomorrow.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35This is the School For Stars.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Coming up on School For Stars, one of the school's best dancers,
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Layton, gets pushed to the limit.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50You shouldn't really be asking this. You should just be doing it.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52And there's blood, sweat and tears for Marni
0:00:52 > 0:00:56as she faces her biggest challenge yet.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59And if you give up, girls, you can't be in it.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07At the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in central London,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10the summer term is well under way.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14People studying at stage schools learn to sing, dance
0:01:14 > 0:01:16and act to a professional standard
0:01:16 > 0:01:20and one of this school's brightest stars is year 11's Layton.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Layton's an amazing dancer, like, in everything. He's just, like, wow!
0:01:27 > 0:01:30He's really good at dancing
0:01:30 > 0:01:33but he's still got, like, an amazing singing voice.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35He's just really talented.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38There's really good and then there's Layton.
0:01:38 > 0:01:42I'm from Manchester but I live in London at the moment.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Just so I can come to this school. I've been here for two years.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47I played Billy Elliot in the West End.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50I like it when it's live, you know.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54You don't get a second chance so what you do there, that's it.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The audience is watching. If you go wrong, you've got to cover it up.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Layton lives with guardians in London and although he misses his family
0:02:02 > 0:02:07back in Manchester, this term, he's got plenty of exams to keep him busy.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10We have to do maths, English, science, history, art,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13GCSE dance, GCSE drama, French.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18And as if that wasn't enough, he's got a full-on rehearsal schedule.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Right then, Layton, can we run it this way
0:02:22 > 0:02:26and just pull out a little few bits that maybe need tightening up, then?
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Today, he's working with choreographer Pat Dennison
0:02:30 > 0:02:33on a complex solo routine for the school's end of term gala.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41One, block it. Down and up and in, step.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45The other dancer is Phillip, who will be performing the same routine
0:02:45 > 0:02:48on a different night.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51Seven and eight and one.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Layton's got a reputation for being the best but today,
0:02:54 > 0:02:56Pat is not impressed.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Eight and one. Stop.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Again, you're doing that. You've got a habit which needs to go.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07Come on, get your mind on it. Your mind's not completely on it.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10To become a top dancer, you need more than just talent.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14You have to be 100% physically fit.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Get your breath back, Layton.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23I want you to run it again in a minute, please. For stamina.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26But Layton's been so busy studying for his GCSEs,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30he's let his training slip and it shows.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32It's hard.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Tired. I think I've lost a bit of fitness.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Phillip, on the other hand, seems to be keeping up just fine.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49Seven, eight, one. See what Phil's doing.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51He's getting his leg higher.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Right, have a little think a minute and a breather.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Phillip, let's run you from the top, please.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I never thought that this rehearsal would be so hard.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05Not sure whether she wants me back in now but I feel a bit unhealthy,
0:04:05 > 0:04:09cos I've not danced in so long so this is a bit of a wake-up call.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Hopefully, I'll be fine and I'll survive this last...
0:04:12 > 0:04:14however long she's got me for.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I'll see you later.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21So can Layton turn this rehearsal around?
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Layton, come on, push it on a bit.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Finish it off! Come on. Kick in.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33You're letting it swing. Come on.
0:04:33 > 0:04:39Despite his best efforts, Layton isn't as fit as he needs to be.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43You didn't move back, back, back. Back. Back.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Remember, you've got to lock that. That's a finish.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48You shouldn't really be asking this. You should just be doing it.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51'I can honestly say that's probably one of the hardest rehearsals
0:04:51 > 0:04:56'that I've ever done here. When you dance, it should look effortless
0:04:56 > 0:04:58'and that did not look effortless.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00'It's really hard because, obviously,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I've got three GCSEs next week
0:05:02 > 0:05:06so when I'm going to find the time to go to the gym, as well as revise
0:05:06 > 0:05:09and have my beauty sleep, I'm not sure how I'm going to do that
0:05:09 > 0:05:12but I'm going to have to do it.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15With mountains of revision stacking up and another rehearsal
0:05:15 > 0:05:20with Pat later in the week, how is Layton going to manage it all?
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Lyndsey is another year 11 student trying to juggle exams
0:05:34 > 0:05:36with life as a performer.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39One, two three. Up. Heads.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43She dreams of one day opening her own dance school and knows
0:05:43 > 0:05:47that good grades in her GCSEs will help her in the world of business.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50If I want to go for a job, I need my GCSEs on my CV.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53I can't be like, "Oh, well, I went to a performing arts school
0:05:53 > 0:05:56"so I haven't got any GCSEs, I just danced!" You know?
0:05:56 > 0:05:59In the run-up to the exams, the teachers are putting on
0:05:59 > 0:06:02last minute revision sessions after school and Lyndsey
0:06:02 > 0:06:06is determined to go to every single one.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10I just don't want to look back and think, "Could I have worked harder?"
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Or, "I didn't get my A in that or my B in that
0:06:13 > 0:06:16"because I didn't really try as hard as I could have."
0:06:16 > 0:06:20But this afternoon, Lyndsey's got a problem.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23French and English revision are on at the same time.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Lyndsey and the rest of year 11 will have to choose which one to go to.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Tonight, there's a French revision class
0:06:30 > 0:06:33and an English revision class and they're at exactly the same times
0:06:33 > 0:06:37so we kind of have to choose which one to go to.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39It's like English v French.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42But in the English room, it's kind of all free food, pizza, drinks.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44You know why I'm here!
0:06:47 > 0:06:51So it's English versus French. In the English corner,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Miss Makin is showing a revision DVD accompanied with free food and drink.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Oh, Miss, thank you so much, we love you!
0:06:58 > 0:07:03And in the French corner, it's a little more serious.
0:07:03 > 0:07:09FRENCH AUDIO TAPE
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Lyndsey is the only year 11 who's chosen French.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14What does 'mince' mean, because I thought it was Japanese.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17OK, what could it mean?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20'I chose the French revision session over the English
0:07:20 > 0:07:24'because...just needed to catch up with the French.'
0:07:24 > 0:07:28So, while Lyndsey works on her French vocab...
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Ecoutes. Je n'aime pas la plage.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35..the English class don't seem to be getting quite as much done.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39CLAMOUR OF NOISE
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Right, can we turn the lights off, please?
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Thank you very much.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Maintenant, ca commence, oui?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58D'accord.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Lyndsey may be missing out on pizza and a movie
0:08:01 > 0:08:03but with her French test just around the corner,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06will she have made the right decision?
0:08:06 > 0:08:10# Live your life Live your life
0:08:10 > 0:08:13# Beauty's deep inside... #
0:08:13 > 0:08:17With the end of term gala approaching, senior student, Marni,
0:08:17 > 0:08:22has been rehearsing hard for a jaw-dropping aerial routine,
0:08:22 > 0:08:27where dance moves are performed on metal hoops suspended from the roof.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30# Beautiful people. #
0:08:30 > 0:08:33And today, training is going to a whole new level.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42This is the hangar, a huge specially-designed studio space
0:08:42 > 0:08:47in London used to train professional circus performers.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Aerial can be dangerous and it isn't something you can try
0:08:51 > 0:08:56unless you have professional training like Marni and her fellow dancers.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00I'm just trying to keep calm so that I go onto the hoop
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and do the routine and just stay calm, that's all you can do.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Aerial can only be performed under strict supervision,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11so today's rehearsal is being directed by a professional aerialist,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Hayley Newton.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Hayley starred in Chicago in the West End.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18She's choreographed Take That's live shows
0:09:18 > 0:09:20and she knows how hard today will be.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I think everyone's going to be very scared
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and there's going to be a lot of tears.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28OK, guys, come over here.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32It's going to be the toughest lesson some of these pupils have ever faced.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Really scary!
0:09:37 > 0:09:41So, there will be tears today, cos the girls are going to be up there
0:09:41 > 0:09:45all day, so you can imagine how in agony they're going to be.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48But if I listen to you crying all day long, we'd get nothing done,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51so you're going to have to fight through that.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56Now, guys, you want to be turning them anticlockwise.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Don't get that wrong, because one girl will be spinning the wrong way.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01You all right, Lucy?
0:10:01 > 0:10:06# Oh, written in the stars A million miles away
0:10:06 > 0:10:12# A message to the main. #
0:10:12 > 0:10:16They're doing well, but they whinge a lot.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18I'm trying to balance it out by being tough
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and sympathetic at the same time, cos it does hurt.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23It hurts a lot more than it looks.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25You'll see them look at their hands a lot and go...
0:10:25 > 0:10:28That's pain.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Does anyone want tape now, before it gets bad?
0:10:31 > 0:10:36Also on hand to help today is another professional aerialist, Amy.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39It'll also be a little bit sore when you're doing that much,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42but they should start getting a bit tougher.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Today's rehearsal will last a gruelling eight hours and Hayley
0:10:46 > 0:10:52will be watching the pupils closely, as she's yet to pick her final cast.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54At the moment, we have seven aerialist girls
0:10:54 > 0:10:58and we only need six for the number, so one has to be cut.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Seven girls but only six hoops means someone's going to end up
0:11:03 > 0:11:05as the understudy.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09I just want this role so bad, cos I've worked for it so hard
0:11:09 > 0:11:14and I'd really love to go out there and show everyone what I can do.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It's a couple of hours into the rehearsal
0:11:17 > 0:11:21and Marni is struggling with one of the moves.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Come on! Bend your elbows.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28You need to be... Chin above the bar. And that'll be so much easier.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37- It's too wide. Her arms are too low. - You're holding too wide.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Cos if she holds there, she won't be able to do the next section.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- Let's go again, I think I can get you high enough.- Yeah.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46One, two, three.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48I will get it.
0:11:50 > 0:11:51'Frustration, it's so bad,'
0:11:51 > 0:11:54cos you know you can do it at the end of the day
0:11:54 > 0:11:56and when you don't do it, it just upsets you
0:11:56 > 0:11:59cos you won't want to be put on the list to be an understudy.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04Every time we do it, you just want to do it the best that you can
0:12:04 > 0:12:06and when you mess up, it's upsetting.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Marni's determined to get a place in the opening number.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13So can she overcome her frustration
0:12:13 > 0:12:16and show Hayley she's got what it takes?
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Training for the performing arts
0:12:27 > 0:12:29doesn't always mean taking centre stage.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Some young people here dream of becoming superstars
0:12:33 > 0:12:35behind the scenes.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Um, let's do the chorus.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Year eight Amber is a talented dancer
0:12:39 > 0:12:43whose ambition is to become a choreographer.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46I love making up dances
0:12:46 > 0:12:48because I have quite a lot of ideas
0:12:48 > 0:12:51and I have a certain way I would like to teach my dancing.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Mum!
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- Mum!- Mum!- Wings, mum.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- One, two, three...- Mum!
0:13:01 > 0:13:03'It is quite fun being in charge'
0:13:03 > 0:13:07because you can tell people what to do and they listen!
0:13:10 > 0:13:14It's a big day for Amber and her friend Jade,
0:13:14 > 0:13:18as top choreographer Sean Parkins has come in to audition dancers
0:13:18 > 0:13:22for a Michael Jackson routine for the end of term gala.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31Then you're going to jump up and over.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Sean works on West End musical, Wicked.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36He's choreographed Pixie Lott's videos
0:13:36 > 0:13:41and now he's adapted four of Michael Jackson's most famous routines.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42Three and four.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Working with him would be a dream come true for Amber.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50He's inspiring, that's the type of choreographer I'd like to be.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52He doesn't shout, and everyone looks up to him.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- What's your name, Jade?- Jade.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58And for Jade, who's already got a singing role in the gala,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01a dancing part would be the icing on the cake.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06MUSIC: "Thriller" by Michael Jackson
0:14:06 > 0:14:10The first Michael Jackson song Sean's working on is Thriller.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17But something is bothering him.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- From there, how many is in this group now?- 24.- Right now?
0:14:25 > 0:14:27I might have to get rid of a few of you.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Who's in Bad?
0:14:30 > 0:14:34He's got too many dancers for the routine and someone has to go.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Can you come out of the section? Is that all right?
0:14:40 > 0:14:44He's dropped wannabe choreographer, Amber.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47But he's not done yet.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to get rid of you
0:14:56 > 0:14:58cos you're going to be reserve. So sorry.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Jade's gone, too.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Although it seems tough on the girls, the hard truth of show business
0:15:05 > 0:15:07is that sometimes there are no explanations.
0:15:07 > 0:15:12They simply didn't fit into Sean's vision for the performance.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15It is really harsh, unfortunately, for the students,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17but we're preparing them now
0:15:17 > 0:15:21for the professional world, where they will get through
0:15:21 > 0:15:23to the final round and then get cut.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27It is really disappointing, but you just have to get on with it.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31It's like, "Oh, I could be doing that, if I could just show him."
0:15:31 > 0:15:36- That is exactly it. - He'll change his mind, but he can't.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39One, two, three, four. Even more with the head.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Now all Amber and Jade can do is watch from the sidelines
0:15:43 > 0:15:45and hope Sean can find a place for them
0:15:45 > 0:15:49in one of the other Michael Jackson routines.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56It's a major day for year 11's Lyndsey,
0:15:56 > 0:16:01as she is sitting her all-important GCSE French exam.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Earlier in the week, Lyndsey missed out on pizza
0:16:06 > 0:16:11and a DVD with all her friends to spend time studying French.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19So with the exam over, has the extra work paid off?
0:16:19 > 0:16:24Well, I think I did my best with my French GCSE. That's all I can do.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28I didn't understand it at first, so I had to get my brain in gear.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30My French revision sessions,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33I think they definitely did help with the listening tapes,
0:16:33 > 0:16:38because you can get a feel for the French when they speak and stuff.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42French is out of the way, but if Lyndsey is going to achieve her dream
0:16:42 > 0:16:47of running her own dance school, she wants all her exams to go well.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51That means the hard work has only just begun.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55One, two, three, four, five.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Seven and go, one and two.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Students here are always busy.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04As well as school, some have jobs, working evenings and weekends
0:17:04 > 0:17:05in theatre productions.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Year nine pupil, Lecia, has dreamt of being on stage
0:17:12 > 0:17:15ever since she watched her first big musical show.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18About four years ago, I went to see Grease in the West End
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and I remember watching it and thinking, "wow"!
0:17:21 > 0:17:23I remember just wanting to do it,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and that's kind of how it all started, really.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29And now, after years of waiting,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31she's finally landed a role up on stage.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34She's performing three nights a week
0:17:34 > 0:17:38in one of the West End's biggest shows, Billy Elliot.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43And with her first night just a week away, Lecia's been rehearsing
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and getting used to life in the theatre.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52This is probably the biggest show I've been on.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56You look at all the seats and think, "This will be full of people!"
0:17:56 > 0:18:01It's quite scary but exciting as well. This is the stage.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03These are all, like, the trap doors
0:18:03 > 0:18:06where Billy's bed comes up and down in the show.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08And that's the orchestra pit.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11So underneath the stage is where all the orchestra plays.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Lecia plays one of the comedy roles
0:18:13 > 0:18:16and she's loving getting into character.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21I play Susan Parks. She's the tallest and oldest ballet girl.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24She's always smiling and that's kind of what I am normally,
0:18:24 > 0:18:28so I really like... I love my character. I love playing her.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Just like any star in the West End, Lecia's got her own dressing room,
0:18:32 > 0:18:36although on show nights, it's not always the most relaxing place to be.
0:18:36 > 0:18:42We have a 27-second quick change, so we literally run in here,
0:18:42 > 0:18:47pull off our white tutus and we put on...
0:18:47 > 0:18:49I like, my personal one, the pink one,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51so quickly shove on the pink one
0:18:51 > 0:18:53and then we quickly shove on our headdress.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57And it's really hard and complicated,
0:18:57 > 0:19:00because you have the wire that keeps it on.
0:19:00 > 0:19:01And then pull in your hair...
0:19:01 > 0:19:05You're literally running off, pulling your hair through!
0:19:05 > 0:19:09It's taken a lot of work for Lecia to get to this stage
0:19:09 > 0:19:12and now she's here, she's loving every minute.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16It's quite weird from sitting in the seats to being on stage.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18I've seen the show three times.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21I remember thinking, "I want to be in that."
0:19:21 > 0:19:23When I got the part, I was just so happy.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26It was all my dreams come true,
0:19:26 > 0:19:29and what I'm going to school for is finally happening.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31It was an amazing feeling.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33So after years of waiting in the wings,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37it's finally time for Lecia to take centre stage.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Another pupil with a lot on his plate is Manchester-born Layton.
0:19:49 > 0:19:54He's been so busy revising for his exams that in a recent rehearsal,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58he performed way below his usual high standards.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01My fitness has gone down a lot because of the fact that
0:20:01 > 0:20:05I've not been doing dancing, I've not been exercising
0:20:05 > 0:20:09because I've been concentrating so much on all the exams and revising.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Layton's got another rehearsal with choreographer Pat
0:20:12 > 0:20:16and he's still thinking about what went wrong last time.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20She was like, "Come on, Layton, you need to get better than this,"
0:20:20 > 0:20:23and I was like, "Sorry". I was getting well annoyed
0:20:23 > 0:20:25and she could tell I was as well and I was like,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27I didn't want to disappoint.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30I'm going back into the rehearsal today.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32Does it look good?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34I hope so.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37I am the last person in the number.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Last person people will see, you know?
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Just me on the stage and if I don't do it justice,
0:20:44 > 0:20:49it might pull the whole thing down, so a bit of a pressure!
0:20:49 > 0:20:53It's rehearsal time and Layton is determined to do better.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Not just for himself but also for his family.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59All these hours are worth it, because my mum's coming down
0:20:59 > 0:21:03from Manchester to watch, my Nan's coming, my guardians and my friends.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06I just want them to see, this is what I love to do
0:21:06 > 0:21:08and this is why I'm down here,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12this is why I'm not at home with my mum because I want to do this.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16Layton's managed to find time to revise and go to the gym,
0:21:16 > 0:21:20so will his dedication pay off? It's time to find out.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Right, we're just going to have a quick walk through
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and then see what we've got. Here we go, then.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30DANCE MUSIC PLAYS
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Just as the rehearsal gets going...
0:21:39 > 0:21:41..there's a problem.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44He's caught his toe and ripped the skin.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Is it split? Have you got a plaster?
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Layton might have to quit the rehearsal.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53Skin off the toe.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57I'm not going to be able to dance the last half.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02It may hurt, but Layton didn't get to where he is today by just giving up.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Five, six and seven, eight!
0:22:06 > 0:22:11Slowly, but surely, it's starting to come together for Layton
0:22:11 > 0:22:14and choreographer Pat can see he's improved.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21That's it. Good.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Right, better. It's better than it was last week, for certain.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32All right, leave it there. Well done.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36See you this time next week, then? Well done, thanks a lot.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39'I just want to be good. I just want to do my best.'
0:22:39 > 0:22:43So the pressure is that I just want to do as best as I can
0:22:43 > 0:22:44and show what I can do.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Some of the school's strongest acrobatic performers
0:22:54 > 0:22:58have been rehearsing for the gala's opening number -
0:22:58 > 0:23:03a highly challenging and potentially dangerous aerial routine.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Seven girls but only six hoops
0:23:07 > 0:23:10means one of the girls will have to be an understudy.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13And that's the last thing Marni wants.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16I just hope it's not me. It's not going to be me.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20One, two! And go, two, three, four.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Hayley is directing the entire end of year gala.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Hold your tummy in!
0:23:24 > 0:23:27And so far, she is not happy.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Right now, you're letting yourselves down
0:23:30 > 0:23:33and we're going to have cut you doing aerial.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36I have no idea what counts you're meant to be doing things on.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40This is the only thing you do, and you can't get it together.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42It's just a big mess, OK?
0:23:42 > 0:23:48So can Marni convince her she should be one of the six girls chosen?
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Up! Up! Get up! Get up!
0:23:57 > 0:24:01One, two, three, four, drop. Not too early, Marni.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07I feel really, like, drained now. On the last one I was like,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09"Oh, God, I'm going to fall off!"
0:24:09 > 0:24:10OK, aerialists up.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Aerial is incredibly demanding.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20They have been lifting their own body weight
0:24:20 > 0:24:23on the hoops for hours already.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25And the physical nature of the routine
0:24:25 > 0:24:28is starting to become a real challenge.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33Go! One and two and three and four...five!
0:24:34 > 0:24:37And relax. Sit down.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45You will really kick yourselves if you give up.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49You are either a fighter or you are not.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52And if you give up, girls, on those hoops, you can't be in it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57We're going to run it again at 25 past.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Marni knows she's only got minutes to refocus.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05It's just I want it so bad, I don't want to mess it up.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Hayley is running the routine one final time.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19And it's Marni's last chance to show her how much she wants this.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32Marni's come off the hoop again.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36And she's taking her tape off.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48But she's not giving up.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53Marni's determined to complete the routine.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11The toughest rehearsal these dancers may ever face is over.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14It's an incredible achievement by everyone
0:26:14 > 0:26:16and no-one's happier than Marni.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I had my tape on because I split my hand,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23and I went to do my spinning section and the tape started to roll again.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25I thought, "I'm not having this,"
0:26:25 > 0:26:28so I ran off to take it off but I put it on so tight
0:26:28 > 0:26:30that it didn't come off,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34but then I tried to get back on the hoop as quick as possible.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Hayley's due to choose her six final aerialists
0:26:37 > 0:26:41in just a few weeks. But has Marni done enough to be one of them?
0:26:46 > 0:26:49If you want to be a success in whatever you do,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51then you need more than just talent.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56You need to work hard, try your best and never ever give up.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00With a little determination and self-belief,
0:27:00 > 0:27:02you can achieve anything.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Next time on School For Stars, Tyler performs in front of the school
0:27:19 > 0:27:23but his co-star has trouble with her lines.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27I just realised that's not the same song. I'm singing, watch me.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30And the juniors head to a Harry Potter film location
0:27:30 > 0:27:32to perform in public.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36This is life at the School For Stars.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd