Episode 7 School for Stars

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

But few realise what it takes to make it to the top.

We are back inside one of the most famous stage schools in Britain...

That is the worst I'm ever going to see that.

..London's Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts,

where for some pupils, dreams of a career on screen

and stage really can come true.

This is what life is like for those seeking the big time.

Guys, you're still not doing it right.

This is the School for Stars.

Previously on School for Stars,

Leyton shared his wisdom to inspire others.

If I had hair, you would all be blind. Again.

But now he's the one learning a tough lesson.

I can't believe that just happened. That was the hardest thing...

I think one of the hardest things I have ever done.

For one senior dance couple, it's make or break.

I feel really let down by Keiran, cos he should be here.

He is my partner.

Make sure he comes to see me as soon as he gets here, please. No tears.

We don't do tears.

And for Year 10's Ella...

..the pressure is all getting too much.

With the end of year show fast approaching,

the juniors are hard at it.

But sadly for Luca, he's fractured his foot

and can only watch rehearsals.

So Charlie has had to take his place and as a result,

he's having to learn several routines with partner Ella.

Don't lift her up, Charlie.

No, don't lift her.

Because she needs to be as low as possible.

Are you all right?

As low as possible, so she can just walk over.

That's it! Don't lift her as high. That's it, though.

She kind of goes over you a bit more, but that is it. That's fine.

-Does that all makes sense?

-Yeah.

Do you just want to try it?

Guys, shall we try it from the top and see what happens?

With a lot to learn, it's a shaky start for Charlie,

but he soon starts to take it in his stride.

MUSIC: "Teardrop" by Massive Attack

Are you all right with that? Well done for learning all that.

Well done. Good.

Just do it in stages again, cos we need to do it in stages.

She screamed yesterday, so she's a bit scared.

We just need to do it in stages.

For Ella, one of the school's most competent dancers

and a soloist in the show, it's one tough challenge after another.

SHE LAUGHS

Two, three...

SHE SCREAMS

THEY GASP

Ella, it's all it is...

No, no. All it is...it's just her.

She's got to feel safe for her to twist.

You know they'll catch you.

-Ready?

-One, two, three.

You SO could have turned! THEY WHOOP AND CLAP

Ella, you SO could have turned, there.

You kind of chickened out at the last minute!

MUSIC

The end of year show isn't just about dancing.

There's plenty of singing, too.

Year 7 Joel is one of several juniors gearing up

to audition for the musical number from Joseph.

They'll be singing the Pharaoh song, which is based on Elvis Presley.

In preparation, Joel's decided to do some research

into the rock 'n' roll music legend.

# Look and listen, baby

# That's my philosophy... #

I think it's fair to say that Elvis is in the building.

I'm researching the dance moves, cos I want to know how he moves...

and what kind of...

Just how he moves and stuff like that.

And even how he just walks, like, walks onto the stage.

I want to watch that to just see how he does it.

I really want to get the main part and I'm just trying to make it

as good as I can and just make it so cool and be...act like Elvis.

It's going to be so awesome.

I just want to see how he walks onto the stage and stuff like that.

Cos even that's good, cos then when you walk on,

they'll know you're like Elvis.

Hopefully, if I get the part, I'll be able to dance like Elvis Presley,

like, in front of loads of people.

It's going to be amazing.

# Uh-huh-huh. #

MUSIC: "Hey Porsche" by Nelly

Senior student Leyton has landed an audition for a play

and he's quickly going over his character's lines

to prepare for the read-through.

-Leyton.

-Hello.

-Do you want to come through?

-Yeah. Hello.

-How are you?

-I'm good. How are you?

-I'm Lucy.

-Nice to meet you.

-This is Nicolai.

-Hello, Leyton. Nice to meet you. All right?

-Good. How are you?

-I'm very good, thank you.

So, tell me about your response to this play.

What did you make of it? Did you know it before we sent it to you?

I didn't know it before it was sent to me.

I had a good look through and I did find it a bit crazy at times.

I was like, "Oh, my God. What's going on?"

There's not much to go on in terms of text in there.

-You've prepared a speech for us.

-Oh, my goodness. I wasn't told that.

That's all right. Did you look at something in here?

Yeah, I did. I just looked at the parts of the nephew,

cos there wasn't too much going back and forth, lines wise.

So I did just have a look and was willing to read for you.

-I'm so sorry.

-No, no. It's all right.

What would you have had in mind for a speech?

Well, what we've been doing for the nephew

is just a speech of your own choice.

Because Leyton didn't prepare a speech for his audition,

in order to gauge just how good an actor he is,

the director wants him to read a bigger section of the play.

Not only is he given a different character to act,

he only has ten minutes to familiarise himself with new lines.

Fantastic.

Luckily, he has a secret weapon that every self-respecting actor

needs in a stressful situation.

AEROSOL SPRAYS

It's now or never for the fresh-smelling Leyton.

He'll need to use his instinct to deliver those unfamiliar lines

convincingly if he's going to impress the director.

KNOCKS ON DOOR

In your eyes, what would you like the nephew to be like?

Kind of young, cocksure, confident.

-Bit arrogant.

-Yeah, OK.

Do you want me to keep my accent kind of...

Yeah, your own accent is good. Manchester is good.

-You like Manchester?

-Yeah.

-I've been trying to round it off for you!

-No! No! We like regional accents.

-All right. I'll give it to ya!

Lucy will read with you and she will cut out some of the longer speeches,

cos it's your audition. We'll just take our time.

-It's just for instinct.

-"Get along with you, you trolls!

"Can't a fellow enjoy a moment's peace here?

"Not a copper or a coin...

"A private school...

"But there was one page in the book that I didn't read

"and on that page it said...

"Or drink anything in one...

"I couldn't love you, sister, even if I wanted to."

-Excellent. Very good work indeed, Leyton.

-Very good.

-Yeah.

It's incredibly difficult.

We threw you in the deep end there and you handled it beautifully.

Great instincts. Really well read. It's a pleasure to meet you.

-Thank you so much for seeing me.

-It's a pleasure. Thank you so much.

-Well done.

-Thank you so much. Have a nice weekend.

-You too.

-Bye!

-Bye-bye.

I can't believe what just happened.

That was the hardest thing...

I think one of the hardest things I've ever done.

Just read, like, four pages in two minutes...

..of a character I've not even studied before.

They were so nice.

Fingers crossed.

Ella is still hard at it, helping Charlie get up to speed

with the duet which Karen originally created for Luca and Ella.

MUSIC: "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman

# And it doesn't matter how I try... #

Shall we start again?

But with Luca out of action with his fractured foot,

all he can do is watch.

# It doesn't matter how I cry

# My tears of love are a waste of time

# If I turn away, am I strong enough to see it through? #

She's got me to work it out, phrasing wise,

but when she's gone back out there...

I'll be your boy.

You're going...

-Jump straight in the air for me.

-In the air? All right.

-OK.

-Straight up. Jump to my shoulders.

It's a bit disappointing that I can't do it, but it's the way it is.

MUSIC: "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman

# I don't want nobody, baby

# If I can't have you

# Ah-ah

# If I can't have you

# I don't want nobody, baby

# If I can't have you

# Ah-ah

# Oh... #

With non-stop practice, so much choreography to remember

and a new partner, it's all beginning to take its toll on Ella.

-What have you done?

-I haven't done anything.

-You all right?

-I'm fine.

You don't look very fine.

-Can I just go outside for a minute?

-All right.

-Is she OK?

-I don't know. Would you go and check on her for me?

-Truth. What happened?

-I don't know why. It's just me.

-Why?

Come on.

Cos you don't think you're good enough?

Is that it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Just every time even... I don't know...

-You just think you're imagining something that isn't there.

-Really?

Really?

I see huge potential in you.

Not just as a dancer, as a triple threat.

OK. So you've got to stop beating yourself up.

You are ready to be challenged.

And other people who are showing me fabulous skill,

I am just excited about, but at the moment,

it's you that I've chosen, because you need to be challenged.

You do what I know you are capable of doing

and you know it your heart you know you were born to do.

-OK.

-Deal?

-Yeah.

Sorted. OK. Well done.

Loving your work, missy. Go.

As the junior boys prepare

to audition for Pharaoh's singing parts,

Miss Fitzgerald goes through the song with Phillip, Johnny, Tommy,

Trojan, Jordan and Joel.

And they are all determined to stand out.

Start thinking about when you're rehearsing,

you rehearse it as you're going to audition it.

And all of you are jigging around

with your feet, so plant yourself in.

Right. Carry on. One, two, three, four.

# I was wandering along by the banks of the river

# When seven fat cows came up out of the Nile

# Uh-huh... #

Think about your "uh-huh". That bit.

-Uh-huh.

-There we go. Ready?

ALL: Uh-huh. Give me one then, Joel. Go.

Uh-huh.

# Well, I was wandering along by the banks of the river

# When seven fat cows came up out of the Nile

# Uh-huh... #

Stop jigging around. That looks like two little boys skipping on the spot.

Doesn't look like you're going to be Elvis, does is?

Who's got an impression of Elvis now?

-When you think of Elvis, what's your impression?

-He wants to be good.

Now show me an impression of Elvis. Right.

I didn't see any of that in your storytelling.

See this?

Don't lose the confidence you have just displayed here.

'I think, potentially, any one of the boys could get the part'

but I really liked what Joel was doing in there just now.

And I will be interested to see if he goes for it as much

in front of all the girls.

That will be the test.

-Joel!

-Come on, Joel. Set the standard, Joel. Here we go.

Take me to Vegas!

# Well, I was wandering along by the banks of the river

# When seven fat cows came up out of the Nile

# Uh-huh

# Bap shawaddy-waddy wah bap shawaddy-waddy

# And right behind these fine, healthy animals came

# Bap shawaddy-waddy... #

He did really well. He just got lost.

We'll do it again. It's the first one.

# ..a monster supper should

# Well, the thin cows were as thin as they had ever, ever, ever, ever been

# Well, this dream has got me baffled

# Hey, Joseph, what does it mean? #

-Oh!

-CHEERING

With a cheeky bit of improvisation,

Joel seems to be channelling his inner Elvis.

Now, I want to see it with you doing it all together

to give you a little bit more confidence.

# Well, I was wandering along by the banks of the river

# When seven fat cows came up out of the Nile

# Uh-huh

# Bap shawaddy-waddy wah bap shawaddy-waddy

# And right behind these fine, healthy animals

# Came seven other cows that were skinny and vile

# Uh-huh... #

Safety in numbers gives the boys ample opportunity to show off.

# Well, this dream has got me baffled

# Hey, Joseph, what does it mean? #

And just like the real Elvis, they even get the girls screaming.

Come on, Joel!

Ladies! Please!

MUSIC: "Show Me Love" by Steve Angello & Laid Back Luke

# You've got to show me love. #

Guys, can I now have partners?

It's a new day and preparations for the end of year show

mean a busy time for the show's director, Karen.

Today she is challenging the first-year senior students

to some complex dance lifts.

OK. Ladies, you are going to jump and put both feet to the side

to come round to the side, to come round the back.

-Come on.

-Tyler and Beth are first up.

Spotters, please.

Spotters, ready? One, two, three, four, five.

Five. Knees. Six. All the way round. Go, go, go.

No, you are not going to touch the floor. That's cheating.

-You need to twist up the other way.

-Aemilia, would you like to have a go?

On your own, then. Go. THEY LAUGH

OK. Can I have a partner for Aemilia, please?

In you come, then, babe. I guess it's you.

ALL: Ah!

And as the next couple take centre stage,

-Karen is the last to know about their special bond.

-OK.

I didn't know! Ready. They make a lovely couple!

Five, six, seven, and...

One, two, three, four,

five, six, seven. Go, go, go!

THEY CHEER

So nearly there! You were there. It's just a case of twisting and tuck.

With the lovebirds in near perfect harmony,

Tyler is determined to give it another shot with Beth.

One, two, three, four, five, six and seven. Tuck, tuck, tuck.

Maybe it's time for a shorter partner.

Five, six, seven...

Ouch! Maybe not!

You do know she is human, don't you?

Lifts are a difficult part of any dance routine.

It's all about coordination, core strength

and working in unison with your partner.

Which might be where Keiran and Aemilia have an advantage

over the rest of the class.

I did the lift with Keiran. And he is my boyfriend.

Karen brings it up in front of the class

and it gets a bit embarrassing, but, yeah, it is good. I enjoy it.

We do lifts quite a lot, even in our spare time.

Because I trust him, it's easier to...

Even if we're doing new lifts or old lifts, we can just do them.

MUSIC: "Girls Like Us" by B-15 Project feat. Crissy D & Lady G

It's going to be busy few weeks for Year 10 pupil Ella.

Not only do all the juniors have end of term assessments,

there is also the end of year show in which Ella plays a big part

and there's nothing like sharing the stress with Mum.

I've got a lot on and I think I just need to pace it and stuff.

-Have you got a timetable for your assessments?

-Yes. I have.

Do you know what you're doing?

I know what days is what so I just need to have a...strategise myself

so I can home and do revision for...

I can't rush myself and I can't spend too long on it

cos then it will just be, like, exhausting.

I think I just need to breathe to make sure I can do it all.

-You put a lot of pressure on yourself as well.

-I know. But it's good.

I kind of like having a lot on,

cos I don't want to sit around, doing nothing.

-I like doing something...

-A bored Ella isn't something I like to see.

Being a 15-year-old girl training in performing arts

means there are added pressures weighing on Ella's mind.

I think a big part of this society, as well,

is your body and your image as well.

Especially in ballet, when you've got tights and a leotard

and little ballet shoes.

It's literally, you are so full vulnerable.

Hair back. You literally are showing everything and I think...

Nowadays, everyone worries about it so much. I know I do. Completely.

You've got a real body. I mean, you've got the muscles.

There's not an ounce of fat.

That doesn't matter, but I want to see real people.

I don't care what they look like.

If they've got passion and they're doing something they believe in,

-that means so much more than whether someone is thin or skinny.

-I know.

I definitely feel pressure on the way that I look, on my flexibility.

Even the slightest things like my turnout and stuff like that.

I think building the muscles and building the flexibility,

it's a lot of pressure.

And to keep it up, as well.

You kind of think, "Shall I have those biscuits? Shouldn't I?"

You shouldn't live like that. I'm hungry. I want biscuits!

# Hot damn

# It's a new day... #

With the end of year show looming

and so many routines to perfect, every spare minute in every room

is taken up with practice, practice and more practice.

SHE SHOUTS

MUSIC: "Who's Laughing Now?" By Jessie J

# Blow your smoke, you're not alone

# But who's laughing now? #

And with so many pupils involved, it's easy to go unnoticed.

# Holla, I'm proud of you

# Make your jokes, go for broke... #

But Year 9 pupil Amy makes sure she gives it everything,

whether she's on stage or off.

Seniors Alex and Jamie have also noticed Amy's talent

and along with Tommy,

they've asked her to perform a street dance routine with them

at the local park to raise money for the school's trust fund.

At this school, junior pupils don't just learn from teachers,

they get valuable performance advice

and first-hand experience from the seniors they look up to.

You. You're a bit all over the gap.

Give it one, two, three. One, two, three.

Come off your heel as well, bruv. Like that.

Boom-pa, boom-pa.

Just make sure you've worked it out properly

so you're not going to land on Amy.

Another thing, as well.

When you're doing this step, the Indian step, step it out.

You was a bit...

You know, it's not Carlton. It's attitude.

-That's it. That's it.

-Spot-on.

-Yeah, cool.

-No! No!

SHE LAUGHS

High praise from Alex

and it looks like the junior duo are ready for the public.

The end of year show isn't far off so turning up to every rehearsal

is something teacher Karen takes very seriously,

as dancer Kieran is about to find out.

Once more. Once more, please.

Where is Kieran? Where is your partner?

Why do I have two boys missing?

I need a good reason for them not to be here, otherwise they are out.

Even Kieran's girlfriend

and dance partner Aemilia doesn't know where he is.

I feel really stressed out, because Keiran is not here

and that means I could get cut, too.

And I feel like it's a bit I really feel like I can shine in.

I feel really let down by Kieran, cos he should be here.

He's my partner, like.

I'm partnered with him in everything so that,

you know, he misses something, I can't do it.

Kieran had to go to the police station to find his mate's phone.

-And Keiran's friend couldn't have gone on his own?

-He's from Glasgow.

-He doesn't know anywhere.

-OK.

So he's risked himself getting cut, hasn't he?

Make sure he comes to see me as soon as he gets here, please? No tears.

We don't do tears.

MUSIC: "Family Affair" by Mary J Blige

# Let's get it crunk, we gonna have fun

# Up on in this dancery

# We got ya open now, ya floatin'

# So you gots to dance for me... #

As rehearsals continue, the missing Keiran finally makes an appearance.

-Hey.

-I'm so sorry I missed rehearsals.

-And what was the reason?

It was just my friend was down from Glasgow

and we had a few problems last night and his phone got stolen.

-Just, yeah.

-Two strikes and out. OK?

Don't blow it from something silly like that.

You must always go through the correct channels,

the correct lines, and make sure you ring reception

and make sure you let us know what's happening. OK?

And if it was something that involved the police or something like that,

or something stolen or taken, I needed to know that.

Because otherwise, I could have turned around and said,

"They're not here. They're out." Cos how did it look?

Two students missing?

No, I totally understand. And it was my fault. I'm sorry.

-And it will never happen again?

-It won't happen at all.

-Thank you very much for coming to see me.

-Sorry about that.

I spoke to Aemilia briefly over the phone before I came in,

with regards to the lift section, and she was very upset.

I've promised her it won't happen again and if we don't get cut,

I will try my hardest to work everything out.

For seniors Alex and Jamie and juniors Tommy and Amy,

it's time to take their street dance to the street.

We're about to do this break-dance performance we have been working on

to try and raise money for the trust fund. It looks like a good turnout.

Sun is shining, so game faces are definitely on.

It looks really busy at the moment

and being the only girl is a bit weird.

They all know each other. I don't know them very well.

I know Tommy, but I don't know

the older guys, so it's just me on my own.

There's quite a lot of people in the park,

but I quite like having a big audience,

because I quite like to bounce off the audience

and take their energy and use it in my performance.

With the boom-box loud and the dance floor hot,

the unsuspecting park crowd are about to witness

some serious funk in their lunchtime.

MUSIC: "It's Just Begun" by the Jimmy Castor Bunch

# Feel the groove

# Into something

# Gonna make you move

# Here we come

# On the run

# Don't know what we're running from

# Day or night

# Black or white

# Dance or sing

# You gotta do your thing

# You gotta do your thing

# Day or night

# Dynamite

# We had fun

# But it's just begun

# It's just begun

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

The boy is 11 years old and he's got confidence

to come out here in front of people he doesn't know,

that they are not exactly here to see this.

They've just randomly been here at the right time

-and he's done really, really well.

-Same for Amy as well, man.

She's young, but she is having it, like.

-She's 13, 14. She's got some flavour, man.

-They've both got it.

I wouldn't want to go up against them in a few years

-in audition, that's for sure.

-Thank God I'm a couple of years older!

I quite like dancing with the other boys,

because I get on with them quite well and it's just to show them

what me and Amy can do to our full potential.

It is a bit more nerve-racking to have them watching you,

cos you might think that they might judge you or stuff,

but they didn't and they were really nice, so that is always good.

It's fun to work with them as well, because they are so good.

And then they can just show us what we can be in a few years' time.

# Is there anybody out there? #

The route to success is a rocky one,

with just as many ups as downs,

but there is always someone with experience and understanding

who has been there, done it

and can take you by the hand and lead the way.

Next time on School for Stars, it's Max and Luca's debut gig.

But will it be pop or flop?

Hang on. We're playing three different songs.

The pressure's on for the third year graduates,

-as casting agents recruit for new talent.

-That's amazing.

Sorry, I'm just going to stop you. Thank you so much.

And Karen stretches the pupils to their limits

in her quest for a Guinness world record.

Current record is 62 people in 30 seconds.

We have to beat that.

# I could teach you a thing or two

# Yeah, oh, yeah

# I could teach you a thing or two

# Yeah, oh, yeah

# I could teach you a thing or two

# Yeah, oh, yeah

# I could teach you a thing or two. #

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd