Episode 9 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 inside one of the most famous stage schools in Britain...

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

..taking you behind the scenes as we follow all the highs

and lows of the summer term...

It's got to go off big-time.

..showing you what life's like for those heading for the big time.

It's got to keep going.

Even when he's sitting down on a chair, it never stops.

This is the School For Stars. Coming up...

after months of practice,

it's the final week of rehearsals for the end-of-year show.

I ain't doing it again.

If the beginning is not right, I will have a heart attack.

-But with the pressure building...

-Get out the way!

-What's the point of you doing that?

-Am I...?

-You're wasting your time.

..everyone's feeling the strain.

I've lost my voice.

I'm really nervous.

I'm actually quite scared.

..but the show must go on.

Getting a bit nervous cos there's VIPs in the audience.

It's time, literally, and aagh!

Every student at the Italia Conti school of theatre art

is passionate about making a career in the entertainment industry.

Some love to act, some love to sing,

and others love to dance.

But if you can do all three, be a triple threat,

you stand the best possible chance

of turning that dream into a reality.

# So the show is on tonight

# I'm looking for a co-star

# Can you make me ooh-la-la? #

15-year-old Reece dreams of making it big on the West End stage.

He's already had a taste of fame

playing Simba in the West End smash The Lion King.

Today he's got a big audition for a brand-new musical.

I'm feeling quite nervous cos I really want this part

and I haven't worked in ages

so I think it would be really good if I get this.

I'm going to work my hardest.

Landing a part would be a huge deal for Reece.

All the students need as much professional experience

as they can get

and, as ever, his mum is there to support him.

I'm hoping that he'll get somewhere with this.

I think it'll just boost his confidence.

Today the director, Ray Shell, is looking to cast a whole family.

But with 60 people competing for just 12 parts, competition is tough.

This is wartime. If you want it, show it, give it to me, yeah?

You've got to make the decision for me cos I can't decide.

First, all the candidates have just minutes to learn new routines

and show them to Ray.

How people treat it and how they deal with it

will tell us what their stamina level is.

Stamina is something you got to have,

not only to take you through a show,

but take you through the years of shows you do.

Let me see your eyes!

Ray is a West End legend

so impressing him isn't going to be easy.

I've done shows like Starlight Express, Miss Saigon,

Five Guys Named Moe, Jesus Christ Superstar...

Let me stop you just one second. I just want to hear thoughts from you.

'I was looking at his CV.'

The list goes on and on and on.

'It's a privilege to be in an audition with him.'

For Reece, today's audition is particularly tough

because it's the first time he's been up against much older

and more experienced performers.

It's obviously scary going up against the adults

because they've had more experience and training than you,

but you've got to try and stand out however you can.

One person who knows just what he's going through

is school friend Layton.

He's got a part playing one of the brothers

and is here to go through the dance routines.

Auditions can be really scary but Reece is doing really well.

He's like the youngest here as well

so it must be quite nerve-wracking for him.

He's going full out

-and he's on the choreography with a bang.

-It's going well so far

but Reece is about to be thrown a surprise.

Guys, listen up. The next thing is going to be a tap combination.

So take five and we'll let you know when we're ready.

Ray wants to see his tap dancing skills

but it seems Reece isn't prepared.

I wasn't told there was going to be a tap section

so I don't have any of my shoes so I'm quite gutted about that.

-Were you told to bring your tap shoes?

-No.

-No. See...

I brought my heels, my... I brought everything.

All Reece can do is try and draw

Ray's attention away from his footwear

and onto his dancing skills

by throwing in some moves before the others have even started.

Five, six, seven, and...!

Reece is hoping that his little trick has worked.

'I think I definitely got noticed by the panel, because, obviously,'

if everyone's standing still and only one person's moving,

it draws attention to yourself,

which is what I kind of wanted so I think he saw me.

Reece seems confident now

but if he's to make it through to the next stage of auditions,

he'll need to show that he can sing too.

The day is far from over.

Throughout the summer term, Reece and the other students

have been auditioning and rehearsing for the end-of-year show.

These shows run for a week

and each performance features a different cast

so that everyone gets a chance to perform

and be spotted by the casting agent in the audience.

Five, six, seven and a turn. Straight.

For one of the routines, year nine Mia is playing a wicked witch.

OK, here we go.

In the future, I'd love to perform in musicals, West End,

or to be a performer like Rihanna.

Mia has to lead the cast in a complex hip-hop routine.

I love hip-hop dancing cos it's different

and it's got so much characteristic in it. It's brilliant.

I think it's quite boom.

# Mama told me not to waste my life

# She said spread your wings, my little butterfly... #

But playing the lead will be very demanding.

I love dancing and to get a lead role is such an honour

but there's a lot of pressure on it, just in case you do something wrong.

Mia's not the only one feeling the pressure.

OK, there's a lot of work to be done.

Teacher Charlene wants the routine to be perfect

and right now it's looking anything but.

You're making mistakes that should not be there.

Can you have your brains on? I don't want mistakes up to where we've done.

What's the point of you doing that?

-Am I...?

-You're wasting your own time. And mine.

You're seeing nothing. You're not interacting with each other.

Does that make sense? Those are the bits that make it look professional.

With time running out, Mia knows they've got to improve.

Yeah, we need positions. Where's our positions?

'Charlene wasn't too pleased but we're going to make it up to her'

on Friday and we're going to make it...show her we can do this.

Pushing themselves towards perfection

is all part of daily life for these pupils.

At his audition in south London, Reece is desperate to prove

that he is the right choice for a part

in a major new theatre production.

The dancing went well this morning

but this afternoon it's all about singing,

and his mum is helping Reece to stop worrying about his voice.

Feel the music but just sing how you would normally at home or at school.

I know your voice is changing.

Reece, I'd like to hear you sing.

Reece's voice is starting to break

so it could be the thing that lets him down,

especially as Ray is looking to cast him in a much younger role.

# I believe that children are our future... #

OK, stop for a second. Do it for me as young as you can make him, yeah?

As young as you can make him,

as close to ten years old as you can make him.

# I believe that children are our future

# Teach them well and let them lead the way... #

OK, stop again. Can we take it down a little bit?

Your voice is changing now, isn't it?

KEYBOARD PLAYS SOFTLY

OK. Take it easy.

# I believe... #

Ray has spotted that Reece's voice is breaking

and that it's affecting his ability to sing.

# Let them lead the way

# Show them all the beauty they possess

# Inside. #

OK, good.

Reece has given it everything.

OK, thank you.

But he's worried his age is going to work against him.

I'm too old.

Reece just hopes he's done enough to bag the part.

They said they're going to tell us soon.

I'm really nervous

and I can't wait to find out if I get it or not.

Whatever the outcome, Reece has certainly made an impression on Ray.

He's an amazing dancer. Already he shows signs of being a star.

And I tend to think that he has a very, very, very bright future.

It's a great result for Reece to have made such an impact on Ray.

But actually nailing the parts they desperately want

can be tough for all the students.

Year nine Syd battled with her confidence

when Ella got the lead in the evening performance

of their end-of-year show.

She thought the matinee she was given instead

would be less prestigious. With the show now just days away,

there's another problem which could stop Syd taking part.

Today we've got rehearsals,

and I've lost my voice

so I'm very scared.

The show means a lot to me so it's a big thing

if I'm not well for it,

so hopefully my voice will come back.

If it doesn't come back and I miss the show, I would be, like,

so gutted cos I've got a main part.

Syd shares her concerns with good friend Ella.

I talk, thinking I'm fine, and halfway through a sentence,

it croaks. It goes really high

-and it goes really low.

-Oh, I hate when that happens.

You just need to drink loads of water and honey and lemon.

But I'm just a bit worried it will go and I won't be able to do the show.

You'll be able to do it. I'll make sure you'll be able to do it.

So will I.

If Syd missed the show,

I think she'd feel really upset because it's the worst thing.

This is an amazing opportunity for her.

So she just has to get better and do it.

It's really nice to have Ella there supporting me

cos she is one of my best friends

and I know through this she's always there for me.

In the final rehearsal, Syd's forced to mime her lines,

missing out on the practice she desperately needs.

ALL: # Seuss

# When you think about Seuss, Seuss, Seuss

# Seuss, Seuss! #

It is really frustrating

that I can't give 100% hard work into my performance.

But hopefully I'll be able to give 1,000% in the show.

It's less than a week until the matinee

and if Syd's voice doesn't get better,

she could be in danger of losing the part.

The end of the summer term is not just about the end-of-year shows.

It's also about celebrating the end of exams with a spectacular prom.

Head girl Georgia has had the tough task of organising it.

We need a date. We've got literally nothing for prom.

Prom is a shambles. People don't know what they're doing.

It's getting a bit too much.

It hasn't been easy but she got everything booked

and now it's prom time.

Today has definitely got to be perfect.

Like, it's just our last chance that we're all going to be together.

Everyone is going to be dressed up and everyone wants it to be pretty

and everyone wants it to be perfect so it's got to be perfect.

With just hours to go,

Georgia and her parents are getting the place ready.

She's been worrying for the past three nights

and having really bad dreams

that something is actually going to go wrong.

I think they should really enjoy it

and cherish every moment, really, now.

Hopefully everything will go well for them

and they'll have a great memory.

GEORGIA LAUGHS

It ain't going to get no bigger than that.

We have bubbles for the tables.

I'm very excited.

Georgia's desperate to provide a night to remember

but after all this hard work, will the party go off with a bang?

I'm very happy with how it's looking. It looks so pretty.

I'm just hoping everyone else feels exactly the same, really.

I don't really know what you can complain about - we've got bubbles!

Partying couldn't be further from Mia's mind.

The last rehearsal of her wicked witch routine

for the end-of-year show was a disaster.

You're wasting your own time. And mine.

Charlene wasn't happy with us

but this week we'll show her that we really can do this.

We've got to make sure everything is perfect.

Today is the final chance to get it right before showing it to Karen,

the show's director.

If the beginning is not right, I will have a heart attack

and I shall take it out on you

because you should have practised it. All right?

And Charlene's expecting to see a big improvement.

Yeah, you are working hard but you're not working smart.

You can conserve your energy because if it's right the first time

we're not doing it again. We're only doing it till you do it right.

Understand? Let's get it right.

If the routine doesn't work,

Karen could decide to lose it from the final show.

It's crucial Mia improves.

Can we do it once from the top, please?

Today is the day we are going to do this.

Carry on, let's go.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Head up!

Feet together. Together, together, together.

Spot on. Well done.

I have to say, guys, I'm very impressed so far. You're so close.

But we need to work at that level all the time.

You have to give your best every single time.

That's the only way you improve.

Charlene may be impressed but Karen still needs to see it

and whether it makes the final show or not will be down to her.

All over the school, time is running out to get things right.

For Layton and the school's elite dancers,

this is their last rehearsal

before they'll perform at the end-of-year shows.

Listen! You're in your costumes.

I want to see how it is, I want to see the atmosphere.

The routine is the work of choreographer to the stars Mark Webb

and he expects nothing but perfection.

I ain't doing it again with you.

It features Layton and starts and ends

with him performing a series of tricky backflips.

-Will you make it?

-I will.

If he gets it wrong, it could throw the dance out from the start

so the pressure is really on.

Get out the way for Layton, yeah?

Guys, let's put all that hard work over the last two months, yeah?

Right, rock and roll!

Go!

That's it, go!

The start's gone well but Layton still has to weave his final flips

through the rest of the cast.

Oh!

It's a dangerous sequence

and it's as nerve-wracking for Mark as it is for Layton.

Get out the way!

Beautiful. Yeah!

Yeah!

Thank you very much for your hard work.

It has been an absolute pleasure doing this.

The group of people that I've got in this room want to dance

and they're passionate about what they do and I love that.

And that will show in this number. Yeah?

Just bring it to the table, and let's bring that house down.

-You know what I'm saying?

-ALL: Yeah.

Thank you very much for your hard work.

-I really appreciate it. Well done.

-CHEERING

'It went really well. Obviously,'

it's very, very demanding but I feel great.

I always feel happy after I've danced.

We just need to put it on stage with lights, camera, action, really.

Obviously, we've got to get on the stage.

Lighting is going to be a big part of it as well

so I need to do that with the lighting guy.

But at this point I'm over the moon.

Reece's big audition for A Dream Across The Ocean

was set by the casting agency based at the school.

Reece has been called up to see Anna,

one of the school's agents, who has some news for him.

'I'm really nervous and I can't wait to find out if I get it or not.

'But I'm actually quite scared.'

-Hi. How are you?

-I'm good, thank you.

Come and take a seat.

So regarding Dreams Across The Ocean... So they've made a decision.

Unfortunately, it's not going to go your way this time.

Nothing to do with what you've done at the castings,

it's all been very positive,

but they're going to cast much younger, between five and 11.

It's a devastating blow for Reece

as he really had his heart set on getting the part.

The best thing you could do is have positive feedback,

which you've had, constantly, from Ray Shell.

-So you should be very proud of yourself.

-OK.

I'm really gutted cos I felt like I put in so much effort and work.

I wanted to do it really badly so I'm so upset I haven't got it.

With his confidence knocked,

there's only one person Reece wants to see right now

so he heads home to talk it through with Mum.

All right, Reece?

'My mum's been really supportive. She's been helping me all she can.

'She's always great to have when things like this knock you down.'

When Reece tells his mum about his disappointment,

she sees nothing but the positive.

I'm really, really upset. Honestly, I'm really upset.

The thing is, they know who you are now.

They know what Reece is about.

They know what you're capable of doing so it's never a wrong thing

that you didn't get it, it's always a positive,

because there's always somebody in the industry

who may want somebody like you.

Don't get upset and don't take it to heart, that's all I can say.

'Reece knows what the industry's like.

'This role obviously wasn't for him at this particular time.'

There's plenty more roles out there that he can do

so we just have to wait and see what he gets.

My mum's been very positive towards me.

Obviously she knows how gutted I am.

It's good to have a mum like I do.

Parents can offer support in all sorts of ways.

And as Georgia heads out to prom with her date,

she knows hers have helped her make this a night to remember.

It's a nerve-wracking time.

I'm really nervous.

The pressure has been on Georgia to deliver the perfect prom.

We are here.

-Do you like it? I did it this morning.

-It's really good.

The guests are arriving. Has all of Georgia's hard work paid off?

Look at the chandelier!

Tyler has been worried about the prom from the start.

So what's his verdict?

Georgia has done an amazing job

and I'm really, really proud of her for everything she's done.

I mean, the whole thing's beautiful.

Georgia doesn't need to worry any more. Everything's fine.

Everyone's happy

and we just want to have a good night now

and I hope Georgia does too.

Thank you. Ha!

And now it's time to party.

# Straight to the top, never drop

# We're not going down tonight

# We are shooting stars... #

I'm feeling, like, a lot happier than I was earlier

and not so stressed out.

SHE CHEERS

Everyone's having a good time, which is the main thing.

Oh, thank you.

I'm very happy now.

Mia and her classmates are hoping to perform their wicked witch routine

in the evening performance of their end-of-year show.

But Karen, the show director,

hasn't yet seen it or decided if it should be included.

I'm really nervous cos Karen's never seen my performance

for Charlene's number and I'm hoping she's going to like it but...

Karen will be looking for perfection

so Charlene gives the cast one final pep talk.

Please concentrate on everything we have worked on,

otherwise it doesn't make a difference. You must concentrate.

Just to add to the pressure,

there is a last-minute addition to the staging

that Mia didn't know about -

a high platform that she has to start the dance routine on -

which throws her.

I'm so scared. I'm really scared.

I'm just worried I'm going to fall off.

Charlene.

Quick as you can, guys, come on.

Charlene, Charlene, Charlene.

-Do I go on the rostra and then come down?

-Yeah. Why not?

And you can walk through. Perfect.

-OK.

-Can we get ready? Let's go.

This is the one and only chance Mia and the others will get

to show that all their hard work has paid off.

Can they rise to the challenge?

MUSIC: "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga

The routine's looking good.

Seems like all the practise has been worth it.

OK, guys, hold that last position.

And Karen's decided she wants the routine in the show.

They did really well.

It's the first time we've actually run the whole section

all the way through, erm, and I was really pleased with them.

Really, really pleased with them.

My aim is, from when they start to when they finish,

if they can have a progression that's their own journey

my work is done.

I'm really happy, I'm really proud of them.

After months of planning, auditions and rehearsals,

the big day of the matinee performance has finally arrived.

Friends and family are flocking to The Shaw Theatre, in London,

to see the results of all the hard work.

RECORD SCRATCHING Woo!

Yeah. OK.

OK, what?

Today is a chance for Syd to show everyone just what a talent she is

but all week she's been struggling with a sore throat.

My voice is now better.

It's in full recovery and I'm feeling very excited

but I'm also quite scared as well.

-Just don't burn my hair!

-Sorry, darling, sorry!

-THEY LAUGH

-Sorry!

I just want to make everyone proud.

OK, here we go!

It's the ten minute call and I'm panicking!

We're nearly done now, we're nearly done.

I'm thinking about what I have to do and I have to go and get changed.

The audience take their seats

and as she heads to the stage the nerves kick in.

I'm shaking!

I just want to go out there and do everyone proud.

Literally, had our one-minute call, like, two minutes ago, so...

it's time, literally, and, ah!

'Ladies and gentlemen, take your seats

'as this afternoon's performance is about to begin. Thank you.'

SYD SCREAMS

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# If you open your mind All the things you will find

# Flying out to get loose!

# All the things you can think When you think about Seuss!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# Seuss! #

After a massive crisis of confidence and battling a lost voice

it looks like all of Syd's hard work has finally paid off.

# Seuss! #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

-Syd, you were so good! Well done!

-You were amazing! Oh my, wow!

-I love you.

-You were so good. Give me a hug, just give me a hug.

Syd's mum and sister are her number one fans.

Syd shone all the way through.

-Even when she wasn't being featured she was completely shining.

-Argh!

# That's what makes you beautiful. #

Syd's time on stage is over

but for 17-year-old Layton his big moment is just minutes away.

It's been two tough months of rehearsals for Layton

and the seniors...

Layton, get up! UP!

..and now it's time to finally showcase their Mark Webb routine.

Thanks.

-Sorry, babe.

-Sorry.

'It's just an adrenaline rush because I'm, like, the guy feature in it'

and I just want to make sure that I don't fall on my head

when I'm doing backflips

and I don't, you know, fall off the stage, or anything like that.

I just want to make sure that I'm doing Mark proud.

There's some VIPs in the audience and stuff.

So, yeah, it's quite nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time.

With ex-student Pixie Lott, casting director David Grindrod

and a packed house to perform to, it's show time.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

GUN FIRING

HIP-HOP MUSIC

SPANISH GUITAR MUSIC

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

The audience loved it but does Layton think they gave enough?

'Really, really good.'

I think the best we've ever done it so...

I'm definitely happy.

I was really nervous but I'm pleased with myself. I think I've done well.

Mark Webb is notoriously tough to please

and the whole cast want to make him happy.

'Layton, it's like, you know,'

he's come in every week, gave his heart and soul,

and I think the performance tonight has shown that.

I'm, like, over the moon. The guys killed it tonight.

Sometimes, however hard you try, things just don't go your way...

..so you have to dust yourself off, keep pushing forward

and wait for your time to come.

Next time...

The end of year show finally arrives.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

This is the one, let's do it!

Go, go, go, go, go, go!

But Karen is furious with the cast...

Absolutely appalling.

..and the pressure...

-Stop talking!

-..becomes almost unbearable.

-I just hope I don't cry!

-Here we go!

I'm feeling very scared.

This is life at the School for Stars!

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