Episode 3 School for Stars

Millions dream of fame, success and life in the spotlight,

but few realise what it takes to make it to the very top.

We're back inside one of THE most famous stage schools in Britain.

Can we take it from the top, please? Give it everything.

We'll be taking you behind the scenes as we follow

all the highs and lows of the summer term...

It's heart, it's passion.

..and show you what life is really like

for those heading for the big time.

SHE SINGS

Up, up! Get up!

This is the School for Stars.

Coming up, Tyler goes up

for the toughest audition of his life.

I'll do the best I can for everyone.

It's a testing time for Tasha and Estelle.

I can almost feel like our friendship is kind of...going.

And the pressure of exams gets to Catty.

Personally, I don't think I'm ready. Everything's going to go wrong.

At the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in Central London,

the summer term is well under way.

Every student here wants to make their mark

in the glamorous world of showbiz.

Some want to sing,

some want to dance and some want to act.

Allow me to introduce myself.

But they need to do all three to stand the best chance

of making it on the West End stage.

The school thinks 15-year-old Tyler has got what it takes,

so he's been put forward to audition

for the prestigious scholarship.

It's one of the most sought-after in the business

and if he gets it,

he will not have to worry about school fees for three years.

But in his last singing lesson, Tyler fell apart.

# Happily I was mistaken... #

I'm sorry.

Nerves got the better of him and he just kept forgetting the words.

# Ah... # Oh, what is going on? I had this, I know it all.

Tyler, calm down.

If this happens tomorrow, I don't know what I'm going to do.

Today is the big audition and Tyler is desperate to work out

why he keeps going wrong.

I know it, I just forgot the lyrics.

I don't understand how...

-Obviously like you said, I have sung it so many times.

-Yeah.

There hasn't been a time when I've really forgotten the lyrics.

How many people are going for it?

The boys, including me, and five girls.

I'm pretty sure there's going to be a lot there that have good voices.

Tyler's friends know he has to stay positive.

It's not just about the voice. I mean, you've got charisma as well.

-I'll be fine.

-Hopefully!

Tyler's the only pupil to be put forward for the audition.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

All of his friends are rooting for him.

Good luck, good luck, good luck!

Thank you.

'Everyone's wishing me luck

'and I'm really happy everyone is behind me on it.'

I'll do the best I can for everyone.

Tyler might be worried about singing,

but that's not a problem for 11-year-old Catty,

whose ambition is to be a pop star.

# Just want to make the world dance

# Forget about the price tag... #

For Catty, singing is a breeze.

But trying to master all different types of dance

is another thing altogether.

Today, she's found out some worrying news.

I've got my tap exam and my modern exam on the same day.

-That is just terrible, isn't it?

-Two exams on the same day?

I have to remember it all in one day.

I can't believe I've got it on the same day!

It's double exam disaster for Catty.

She's already been struggling with tap...

I really don't know this.

..and now she has a modern exam to prepare for too.

If I don't know it today, then I'm just doomed.

With just one modern lesson left before the exam,

the pressure is building for Catty.

She needs to learn a whole new set of moves and techniques.

Ooh! Oh! Ow!

Now what is that? I don't know what that exercise is. What?

Catty knows it's crucial she passes the exam

if she wants to go for stage roles in the West End.

'I don't like modern.'

It's not particularly my favourite and it's particularly my worst.

But it is really important to me to get this.

If I don't, it will be really disappointing.

It looks like Catty will have to put in some serious practice,

because there will be no hiding at the back of the class in the exam.

'Personally, I don't think I'm ready.'

But I have to do it. I have been put in for the exam now,

and I'll just do it and see what happens.

That's all you can do really.

Oh! Modern is so hard!

# You only get one shot

# So make it count

# You might never get this moment again

# The clock is ticking down It's the final round

# So tell me what it is that's stopping you now... #

It's almost time for Tyler's audition.

So exciting!

He is up against seven other hopefuls

who have travelled from all over the UK to be here.

They have been short-listed from hundreds of applicants,

so Tyler knows he is up against the very best.

I'm very focused and I am very determined to get this scholarship.

This scholarship is such a big deal

because it secures three years of paid in full training.

It's a really, really big deal.

As the audition gets under way, all Tyler can do is wait his turn

and try not to let the pressure get to him.

I'm slowly getting there.

Once it's done, I'll be like, "Phew!"

The audition panel is made up of the school's most senior staff

and one of the West End's toughest

and most highly respected casting directors...

What's the revelation? What?

David Grindrod.

I'm not easily impressed.

Push it out!

This scholarship doesn't get handed out willy-nilly to anybody.

Go on!

They have to come in and show me

that they are worthy of this scholarship.

Push it!

With over 30 years' experience in musical theatre...

Keep it relaxed.

..David has cast some of the major West End hits,

including Shrek and The Wizard Of Oz.

The auditionees have to show me passion.

Imagine you're at Wembley Stadium.

You come out there, the spotlight hits you, and you are on it.

They want to be part of this business

and they want to do the best job they possibly can

on a West End or worldwide stage.

Do it one more time. Stop! One more time, I don't want you to move.

To prove they've got what he's looking for,

David is soon testing the candidates to the absolute limits.

Why this college? Why did you want to go and do that?

We do you aspire to?

Their talent and knowledge of musical theatre

is being put to the ultimate test.

What I like to do with the people

that are coming into audition is I like to throw them.

Take your shoes off. Just sit on the floor.

Get that chair. Try again? And...

Tyler knows if he is to stand out from the others,

he will have to give the performance of his life.

It's a nail-biting wait.

I'm scared I'm going to forget everything.

Confidence is the main thing.

I'm kind of lacking it a little bit at the moment.

I'll just do what I can.

OK, next.

-Enjoy the experience.

-I look forward to it.

-So, Tyler...

-Hello.

What are you going to sing?

I'm going to sing Who I'd Be from Shrek, and Joanna from Sweeney Todd.

First is the song he just couldn't get right

in his last lesson.

# Do they think that walls can hide you

# Even though I'm at your window...? #

Tyler gets through it without a single stumble.

OK, what acting piece have you got?

How will his acting go down with the hard-to-please David?

It came to me, like an epiphany.

You're a robot, aren't you?

Good. Pull up a chair.

What shows have you been in?

I've done Oliver on the West End.

I did a TV series called Camelot.

What would the funding mean?

A lot to me.

I'd really, really appreciate any funding, really, because...

I don't think I'd be able to afford it again.

It's almost over. One more song to get through.

# And if my wish was granted

# Our life would be enchanted

# Or so the stories say

# Of course I'd be a hero

# I would scale a tower... #

-It's going well, but then...

-OK, just stop a minute.

Do the first bit again.

This is a big number for Shrek, but he's gaining his confidence.

I need three different ideas,

three things which are coming out of the blue here.

-"I could do that. I could do this." Do that first bit again.

-OK.

-# Upon a Viking ship... #

-What would happen next?

-# I would sail away... #

-Yes!

# I would see the world, I would reach the farthest reaches... #

-What happens?

-# I'd feel the wind

-# I'd taste the salt and sea... #

-Yes!

# And maybe storm some beaches... #

I try to get them to think about the words.

The lyrics are really important. The storytelling and how that story

is told is really important.

-How do you feel?

-# That's who I'd be... #

-Yes, that's it. But what else?

-# That's who I'd be... #

Tyler has to keep his cool and think on his feet.

But he gets through it and finally

the toughest test of his life is over.

Yeah, I feel good.

'It's over now. It's actually over.'

I'm happy, I'm really proud of what I've just done.

I've performed in front of one of the top casting directors

in musical theatre and I enjoyed myself so much.

It felt good. I'm happy.

For Tyler, a huge weight has been lifted from his shoulders,

but some students feel like

they have got the weight of the world on theirs.

Estelle and Natasha have been best friends since their first day,

and have always been there for each other.

-What's the word I am always saying to you? The B word.

-Believe.

But this term, things just don't seem the same.

I feel like Natasha's drifting away from me,

and that we are losing our friendship.

We've started having little arguments about nothing, really.

Things that wouldn't usually annoy us.

I've snapped at her a few times.

At the moment, it's really awkward.

'We are a kind of both in the same position, like, both upset,

'both confused about the situation.'

I almost feel like our friendship is kind of going.

With their relationship at breaking point,

Reece is desperate for his two friends to work things out.

Just try and be normal with her, really.

Don't...don't try and be awkward.

Don't be upset around her.

Try and be normal.

But acting normal isn't easy.

Things have got so bad that Natasha and Estelle aren't even talking.

And it's all got a bit too much for Estelle.

I'll talk to you after, it's about Tasha.

SHE SOBS

It's all right, I'm losing her as a friend.

The girls always used to sit together.

But not today.

# Maybe I have said

# Something that was wrong

# I cannot make it better

# With the lights turned off

# Oh, oh, oh... #

It's hard for their classmates to believe it's got to this point.

Is one of the girls going to be able to step up

and save their friendship before it's too late?

Having friends on side can make any problems

seem solvable as Year 11 Georgia knows only too well.

As head girl,

this term she's been given the stressful task of organising prom.

It's getting a bit too much.

-Have you got a venue yet or anything?

-No.

Georgia overcame the first problem and secured a spectacular venue.

But spectacular venues come with spectacular price tags.

Georgia is worried if the tickets cost too much,

no-one will come.

-Shall we start on these phone calls?

-Let's start crack-a-lacking.

She's asked Ellie round to her house to help call

their classmates and persuade them it will be worth every penny.

-'Hello.'

-Hello, you. You OK?

-'Yes, you?'

-I'm all right.

Just a quick question.

I know this sounds really stupid, you'll probably be like, "Yeah!"

-but will you defo come prom, yeah?

-'Yeah, why?'

We were just trying to work out numbers.

That's one defo, but do they know how much it costs?

-Tell her the price.

-It's £60 each.

-'Oh, OK.'

-Yeah?

First one done, only another 18 to go.

-Emma's coming, Susan is with her.

-Does she know how much it is?

'Do you know how much it is? Yes.'

-Are you defs coming prom?

-'Yeah.'

She is defs coming prom.

Let me underline the ones that are coming.

-Belle's definitely coming.

-Belle.

Molly will definitely come and Cayman said he will definitely come.

-Do they know prices?

-Yes.

Cayman says he doesn't care if he has to pay £600, he'll come.

It's going better than expected,

but things are about to take a turn for the worse.

Hi, Tyler.

Just a question. Are you definitely coming prom?

Yeah, I know.

It is a lot. I don't know.

Each person.

OK.

He's worried that he doesn't think a lot of people are going to pay this.

It seems Tyler has popped the prom party balloon.

I am just really worried from what Tyler has said.

Unless Georgia can work some magic,

this princess might have to kiss goodbye to their fairytale prom.

-Fingers crossed it can work out.

-We can do it.

We will do this.

-I am just worried.

-Don't worry.

We will sort it out.

Georgia is not the only one with problems to overcome.

With their friendship falling apart,

Tasha has decided her and Estelle's feud has gone too far.

It is starting to stress me out now.

As much as I'd like it to be over without talking about it,

I'd rather discuss it and what has made things so bad.

But will Estelle want to hear what Natasha has to say?

Estelle? Can I talk to you?

All worthwhile friendships endure hard times,

but have Estelle and Natasha got a friendship that's worth saving?

# There's an elephant standing in the room... #

What's going on?

Just around me, you're someone different

and that is why I was getting so tearful yesterday.

I felt like I had no-one.

When we had that argument,

that tiny, little argument, and I felt that...

I didn't feel like...

I think we both got confused, because I felt like

the thing in the morning was not a big deal whatsoever.

It was like, "OK, that's done and we can be friends,"

and it didn't seem to happen.

I think it was my fault and your fault

because we were both just not speaking.

It wasn't like we weren't speaking, it was awkward.

After a long chat, Estelle and Natasha decide

the best thing they can do is put their troubles behind them.

I don't want it to feel like we're drifting apart.

We can move past this, I hope.

So, it's fine. We're cool, right?

-We're really late for class.

-Are we?

'We had a little talk about the situation.'

We are fine, I still think there's a bit of awkwardness,

but I know I can go and talk to her.

It's good to have my best friend back.

I'm feeling much happier, much more calm and less stressed now.

Tasha and Estelle's relationship is on the mend

and Georgia might have the answer to her problems.

You're running a cake sale?

With the future of prom at stake,

Georgia is hoping to raise enough money from a cake sale

to reduce the price of tickets.

I'm a walking billboard. Will I have one on front as well?

If she can't, the whole event might need to be scrapped.

I doubt we'll sell all of them, we'll probably end up eating them.

But hopefully we'll sell quite a few.

That's great, that is.

Catty's double exam is fast approaching.

Not only has she got tap, she's also got modern on the same day

and she needs as much practice as possible,

-so she's roped in her mum to give her a helping hand.

-Feet! Arms!

Finish off, make sure you finish off every move.

Imagine you are auditioning for the Royal Ballet, it is that important.

-Mum! Be quiet.

-All right.

Although she is starting to regret asking her.

-That part, where you turn. Your legs are too far apart.

-What?

When you go into that plie at the end, it's out of control.

-You don't know what a plie is.

-That's what I thought it was called.

-It doesn't seem controlled to me.

-I don't know what you mean.

Catty's mum doesn't seem wowed by her performance.

But she'll need to make a big impact on the examiners

if she's to get the part she so desperately needs.

-Start again and I'll tell you my point.

-I'm not doing it again.

The exam's tomorrow, and Catty is feeling far from confident.

I am feeling very, very nervous.

I'm scared that I'm not going to pass it.

It's the following day, and the school's never been busier.

With rehearsals for the end of year show

and academic exams taking place,

it's a testing time for all of the students.

But for Catty, today's all about her double dance exam.

Quick, sorry.

She's been struggling with her dance since joining the school.

And now she's got not just one exam, but two.

-Really nervous.

-Tap first, and then modern.

If my tap goes wrong, I'm going to be really, really nervous

and I think my modern might go wrong as well.

THEY SQUEAL

SHE MOUTHS

Catty's not the only one feeling nervous.

Today's a big test for Georgia too.

She is under pressure to raise enough money to reduce

the price of prom tickets.

Buy cake! Come on!

Matthew, buy cake!

Luce, buy cake!

She's only got one hour to sell as many cakes as possible.

So she's going to have to go for it

if she's to make some serious money and save prom.

Come on, Molly! Buy cake!

Tusia, buy cake!

Thankfully, she's not on her own,

as all her friends have turned up to help her out.

Come and buy a cake!

At the moment, I'm going around selling cakes

and trying to gain as much, much, much money as possible.

That's what we need. I'm the mobile selling unit.

Nowhere's off-limits,

and no-one's getting away.

If you can't pay for it, you can all chip in.

Everyone has stolen my idea.

I came up with this idea!

Time is running out for our budding entrepreneurs.

SHE SQUEALS

So Georgia resorts to some aggressive sales tactics.

You haven't bought cake!

You haven't bought cake!

You haven't bought cake!

We do delivery service!

No-one can say they haven't tried their best.

Guys, you rule! I love you all!

But have they made enough money to stop prom from being called off?

Aargh!

There's plenty of small change,

but it's big money they need.

9, 14, 16,

21, 23, 24.

£174.57. Yep.

-£174.57.

-So good!

-SHE SQUEALS

Woo-hoo!

That is a lot, guys. Well done.

It's been a huge success, and far exceeded expectations.

I was expecting 40 quid at best.

-I was expecting about £40.

-Yeah.

Steph! Steph!

And raising over £170

really is the icing on the cake for Georgia.

Just from the cake sale?

Yeah. We rule, guys!

I'm very proud of everyone.

Personally, I thought that everyone was just going to be, like,

"Urgh, it's a cake sale."

Not really get excited about it, and not really be bothered.

But, like, I thought completely wrong.

Looks like Georgia's problems with prom are over...

for now, at least.

Sadly, on floor five, Catty's tap exam hasn't gone so well.

That went awful.

Dunno. Went bad.

But there's no time to dwell on it,

because Catty's got to go straight into her modern exam.

Just stand there nicely.

Good luck, girls.

Catty was sure that if her tap exam went badly,

her modern exam would go the same way.

Was she right?

SHE GIGGLES

First exam wasn't as good as I thought it was going to be.

The second exam went absolutely amazing. It was really good.

Now I'm going to go celebrate... to go shopping with my mum.

Right, Oxford Circus, here I come!

Good luck! Thank you all. See you later!

-It went really well.

-Oh, excellent!

It went really, really well.

Year-11 Tyler is waiting to find out if he's been awarded

the life-changing Andrew Lloyd Webber scholarship.

Now he's been called to head teacher, Mr Vote's office,

to find out if he's got it.

-Hi, Mr Vote.

-Hi. Can you give me just a second?

Let me just finish this off, OK?

Tyler has applied for several scholarships.

Without one, his time at the school could be over.

It's almost like torture.

I don't really know what's going to happen.

It could be anything. Fingers crossed. I mean, who knows?

# And you feel what I feel inside

# If you want it like I want it

# Then, baby, let's get it tonight... #

In spite of how incredibly proud I was of you,

and how brilliantly you did in Andrew Lloyd Webber audition,

unfortunately, you are not the recipient

of the Andrew Lloyd Webber Award.

It's devastating news.

Without the award, Tyler may not be able to stay on at school.

But this wasn't the only scholarship he applied for.

On the other hand,

you have indeed been awarded a Dance and Drama Award.

Oh, yay!

Congratulations! I am really, really pleased for you.

Well done. You've done incredibly well.

Thank you ever so much, Mr Vote. I'm really happy. Thank you.

He may have missed out on the Lloyd Webber Award,

but Tyler's backed himself a different scholarship called a DADA,

which means his school fees will be covered

for the next three years after all.

I wasn't expecting a DADA.

But...wow!

That's kind of made me happy!

And there's one person he's desperate to tell.

PHONE RINGS

Every time I try to ring my mum at a good time, it's always...

she never picks up!

# So call me maybe... #

-PHONE RINGS OUT

-'Hiya, this is Sharon.

'Sorry I can't get to the phone...'

This is not even funny!

Mum, please call me. I'm trying to get hold of you!

My mum is not picking up anything!

'Hiya, this is Sharon. Sorry I can't...'

Do you know how upsetting this is?!

PHONE RINGS Fingers crossed.

It's so annoying! Why doesn't she pick up her phone?!

I've called now, like, ten times, and she hasn't picked up once.

I want to tell her.

But she's not answering.

She's probably on the phone to one of the mums or something.

Whatever.

-'Hello, love!'

-Hello?

-'Hello, Tyler!'

-Hello?

I've been trying to call you for, like...

'No, listen, I had a...'

Hello?

-Hello?

-'Tyler?'

Mum, what are you...speak!

-Hello?

-'My phone is playing up!'

I've called you and called you,

because I need to tell someone that I got a DADA.

Is Tyler's mum speechless, or has she just lost signal again?

Hello?

-'Well done, Tyler!'

-Thank you!

'Well done! You deserve it!'

Thank you! Mum, I just wanted to tell you.

Now he can share the good news with his classmates.

-I didn't get the Andrew Lloyd Webber.

-Did you not?

Good news is, I'm coming back with you guys for a DADA.

THEY CHEER

# Can you feel the love?

# This is love, this is love, this is love... #

Sometimes it's the things we care about most

that make us feel the worst...

# Can you feel the love? #

..but if you make it through the hard times,

you become stronger than ever.

# Can you feel the love? #

Next time on School For Stars,

Sid's confidence is rocked...

I'm really gutted and quite upset.

..Quidar lands an amazing TV role...

..and Sadie's future hangs in the balance.

I'm really nervous. Because this could change my life.

This is life at the School For Stars.

# Oh, I swear to you

# I'll be there for you

# This is not a drive-by-y-y-y-y

# Just a shy guy looking for a two-ply

# Hefty thing to hold, my-y-y-y-y-y love. #

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd