Episode 3 Sea City

On the south coast of Britain

lies a city within a city

that's hard at work 24 hours a day.

The port of Southampton is the cruise capital of the UK

and a gateway for a life at sea.

It's tough here, then we send you on board and it gets tougher.

Bit of a mad rush around. Passengers are going to start coming on.

It's where showbiz glamour meets the grind of industry.

Basically, going to move 700 tonnes of sewage

because they can't get road transport. The smell's the killer.

Thousands of travellers pass through Southampton every day.

It's really quite busy down there. It's all hands to the pump.

Oh!

It's where water is a way of life.

Such crazy English fun!

This is big boys' toys. This is for us old fellas.

LAUGHTER

Passengers, ships and cargo

shaping the lives of people at one of the busiest ports in the world.

This is Sea City.

In this special episode, showbiz at sea.

We follow a new cast of cruise ship performers learning the ropes.

I just want to be like Jane McDonald. Hasn't she got the most perfect life?

Getting paid to do what you love and travel at the same time.

What I need from you now is that extra, extra push.

It took me completely by surprise.

It's such a hard process.

They are worrying about their feet, their words, their harmonies.

There are buckets I can use to throw up in.

-Yeah!

-Get the hell out of here!

1.5 million people take a cruise

from the port of Southampton every year.

Check-in desk at the very end, please.

As paying customers, they want top-notch entertainment on board.

Tucked away in the port is the academy for young performers.

Front two, three, four, five...

Every singer and dancer

on each of P&O's cruise ships passes through here.

If these new recruits make the grade,

they will be working on the Aurora on a round-the-world cruise.

These are the studios. There's three of these...

Stevie Bee is the creative director for the Headliners Theatre Company.

You need to eat, sleep and live this for the next eight weeks.

This new cast has a gruelling schedule.

They'll have to learn eight musical shows in just two months.

It's tough here, and then we send you on board and it gets tougher.

This is where you start paying in sweat.

# Are you ready for a brand-new beat? #

There are five principal singers in the new cast.

Three boys and two girls.

Jamie-Lee hasn't had any formal training.

She auditioned alongside scores of others to get here.

I started singing when I was 12 and here I am.

I'm nervous because everyone else has trained, or done it before.

# Me and Mrs Jones...#

It's Jackie's first chance of a job on board a ship.

Like the others, he's got his work cut out.

You don't realise how quickly you have to learn this stuff.

You reach a point where you're like, "I don't think this is going in."

One, two, three and four and five...

There are eight dancers in the cast and choreographer, Jess,

is putting them through their paces.

The singers will have to learn these routines, too.

It's a daunting prospect.

They already know what they're doing. Wait till we get in there.

We won't have a clue.

-LAUGHTER

-Step, quick, step, quick.

Two...

Usually, you rehearse one show and you have a long time to do it in.

We've got eight shows to learn and they've got a week per show.

One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight and hands!

Better. Keep your feet apart. Seven, eight and head!

Tomorrow is all day dancing, so it's like, it's scary.

That was just a taster and I'm, like, pooing myself.

It'll be all right, though.

Lovely. Cool-down.

-Well done, everybody!

-APPLAUSE

I think he's a bit traumatised.

-LAUGHTER

-I think I am.

-Shall we take you home?

-Yeah, please.

-We're going home. Good night.

LAUGHTER

Every morning brings an early start.

But for the cast, it's worth the pain.

When you realise you can sing, it's an unparalleled feeling.

So when you realise it is something you could do as a job, it's... Yeah.

My ultimate dream, I don't want to be famous or anything,

I just want to be like Jane McDonald.

I know she started on cruise ships,

but honestly, hasn't she got the most perfect life?

Her fans adore her.

She's got sold-out shows. I'd be happy with that.

It's putting in the time that's going to make the difference.

And in the end, it's worth it.

I am starving!

I don't think I'm going to get through this day.

Just go and get a sausage roll.

No, I'm not getting a sausage sandwich!

The first show the cast are learning is a Motown medley.

Creative director, Stevie, will review their performance later on.

# One can talk about being in love... #

-But rehearsals haven't been going too well.

-Just show me.

Although they are note perfect,

some singers are struggling with their dancing.

Three, four, five, six, seven.

That one always causes a little bit of, "Argh!"

Mark has done musical theatre before, but nothing like this.

You want to get it as right as you possibly can

and it's also because you've got some of the bosses coming in

and, you know, you want to impress.

I have to say, there are some concerns.

I think three boy singers need to enjoy it more.

They're worrying about their feet, their words, their harmonies.

Three days to learn a show is quite quick, like. So... Hah!

This is the first time Stevie will have seen this cast

perform a fully-rehearsed show.

Theoretically, they should be doing the same in that room

that they're going to do on the stage on board the ships.

It could be gold or it could be terrible, but we'll see how we go.

# Calling out around the world

# Are you ready for a brand-new beat? #

It doesn't take long for Stevie and his assistant, Adam,

to see they've got a problem.

# Oh, darling, I was blind to let you go...#

The three boy singers just don't seem to have the moves.

APPLAUSE

Well done, guys. Grab towels and water,

come and have a sit down, let's have a chat.

Hm. This is a tough one.

-It is only four days in and it's week one.

-Yeah.

-But natural dance ability, there wasn't much there.

-No.

Zero, zero, zero.

-There's no leader.

-No.

-There's no-one showing them what to do.

-Yeah.

And it's basic stagecraft, that's the thing.

And can we teach basic stagecraft

in another seven weeks to essentially three people?

The boy singers have no idea just how worried Stevie is.

I couldn't have even have begun to imagine

that the last four days would've been how they were.

It took me completely by surprise.

And it's such a hard process.

It's been a tough start for everyone.

I don't know, I've never been to a Mexican before.

Being in any cast is like being in a family

and they'll have to help each other through what lies ahead.

I feel like I'm constantly on edge.

Even if I'm sat at the side.

The first week, every night I'd get home I was like, "Oh, my God!"

It's good for us to have a laugh outside of rehearsals, so we can

have more banter inside the rehearsals and not be nervous.

When you're doing something like a ship all together and you're having

-to work and live together, you have to look after each other.

-Definitely.

-We've got a very strong bond.

-Yeah...dating.

-Joke.

-Joke.

As the weeks progress, the three boy singers

are still struggling to make enough impact.

And James isn't a natural mover.

I've been trained to be like...sort of thing,

quite small acting, not using your arms.

Only use your arms if you mean it, sort of thing.

But this is more like that, so there's getting into it.

So, I think I'm finding the changeover

from that quite difficult.

The three boys, in particular, are all quite green, so they're

doing a lot of their learning here.

That's fine, but when it's your front people,

you need to make sure that they are going to get on every single night

and they're going to deliver that song exactly as it is and do that

choreography exactly as it is.

It's just about getting those thought processes in order.

And getting it so your brain logically goes, "OK, that's next,

"Then that, then that, then that."

Then it's all beautiful and blissful and seamless.

-Really?!

-Well, ish...yeah.

THEY LAUGH

No, I don't think it is.

We've got a position that's come up a bit sooner than the last one

we spoke about. It would be to join the ship on the 5th of November.

The boys aren't improving fast enough, so Adam is tracking down

potential replacement singers.

Can you think of anyone else?

But no-one likes changing cast members.

Even now, Stevie and Adam want to give everybody a fair chance.

Is all that uproar for the cast

actually going to make any difference?

That's the decision, sadly, that sits on your shoulders.

And it's up to you, you know.

The latest we've ever done it, we got up to the final week

and I, in fact, changed somebody on the final week.

They were literally due to get on board.

Stevie decides to have a crisis chat with Jackie, Mark and James.

What I need from you three guys now is that extra, extra push.

I need you to start to lead by example.

Where you're struggling is your choreography and looking confident

in your choreography.

I said, we use that phrase "show your knickers".

Do you know what I mean? And it just

means do something surprising, you know, every single time.

OK, and I'm confident in you that when you get on stage,

you'll deliver...but I want to see it 100% before you go.

I'm just completely out of my comfort zone.

It's made us think, "Oh, God!" Pull the finger out, sort of thing.

I think it's getting used to how Headliners work

and how they want us to be.

We all just sat there and were like,

"We need to step it up, then. We need to really give it 110%."

It was a bit of a downer and it was a bit disheartening,

but I went home and I just used it as a positive, really,

and thought, "OK, come on, right, what can you do to make this better?"

With Stevie's words fresh in their minds,

the boys knuckle down to some hard graft on their dancing.

Just give it more, just go for it. What you think would be too much,

it probably isn't but it's for you

to give it too much and for us to pull it back.

Have more fun, Jackie, freestyle!

They like big arms and all that

and I think that's what we haven't been used to, sort of thing.

It's just a lot more gestures and using your audience

and it's being a lot more free.

Just have fun and smile!

Everyone's reputation is on the line.

The next performance will be

the boys' last chance to convince Stevie.

# People try to put us down

# Talking 'bout my generation

# Just because we get around

# Talking 'bout my generation

# This is my generation

# This is my generation, baby... #

It looks like the extra work might have paid off.

# Huh!

# I'm not trying to cause a big sensation

# Talking 'bout my generation

# This is my generation! #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

I'm a very, very happier man, to be perfectly honest.

Said it was going to be an easier show for the singers, bless you,

then we give you all that choreography.

You did a cracking job.

Definitely your best show that you've done.

The ship will be here sooner than you think.

The boys have pulled through.

Everyone's finally made the grade.

And this is where Stevie will say goodbye.

Thank you very much!

Each of you to a person has tried very, very hard, above and beyond

what's expected to maintain and reach the standard that's required.

You're going to have an amazing experience!

Get out there, make us proud,

enjoy yourselves, have a wonderful time, get the hell out of here!

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Next stop, the Aurora and a life at sea.

The waiting is over. It's departure day for the young cast.

The Aurora will be their home and office for the next four months.

Ahead is a journey around the world and the challenge of performing

to passengers for the first time.

-All right, loves!

-I think she's going away for two years!

Teddy's coming, Teddy's very important, Teddy's coming on board.

I think I've got the most, haven't I? No?

I can't wait. I'm really nervous, though.

-You're so hyper!

-I know, I am a bit hyper, woo!

Got a little tear in my eye.

My mother got upset, so I got upset then.

This is my mum, her name's Jo, she's glamorous, ain't she?

Jamie-Lee's mum is putting on a brave face.

When it comes to goodbyes, it's harder for some of the parents

than it is for their kids.

Love you.

She's a grown-up woman now, making her own way in the world

and she's always been my baby

but it's been a fantastic journey and she makes me very proud!

Going through the crew area... Oh, no, this is the passenger area.

Singer Alice has worked on P&O cruise ships before.

Whew! Let's hope I can get in.

Lock opens. It's quite homely, actually, I'll get my pictures up

and then here I am.

At last the voyage begins

for the newest members of the ship's company.

CHEERING

It's the first time Jackie has ever left the country.

I'm like a little child.

Jackie, you're actually officially abroad!

-I know!

-You're not yet.

-Still in English waters but still!

They're hoping for full houses in here,

every night for the next four months.

First and foremost, of course, welcome on board.

I do consider it to be the best ship in the fleet with the best ship's

company and, of course, you are now

an intrinsic part of that ship's company.

It's not quite having your name in lights, but it is a start.

It's so good, I can't wait to do it now. I can't wait!

As Aurora heads out for open water, there are just three days

before opening night.

The next morning, the sea's starting to get rough.

Below decks, in the bow of the ship, Jodie and Gemma

are adjusting costumes for the first show.

So, for this show, "Boogie",

there'll be about 50 costumes to alter and repair.

It's nice to think you're part of the process of getting them

ready, organising them. A lot of them, it's first time at sea,

so they don't know what they're doing, put their trousers on inside out.

It's not only sewing that we do. We have to tell them what costumes to

wear for each number, how to wear the costumes, how to dress.

It's like being their mum at sea.

It feels like it's going to fall off the shoulder, is that right?

That's why the elastic's there, do you want the same on the other side?

Jamie-Lee and Alice will have 15 costume changes each

on their first night, a '70s disco medley.

Oh, no! What is that?

You best be wearing one as well!

It looks like the retro look is a difficult one to pull off.

Hold on a second... Toss, toss.

Hold on, take your hair down, that will look better.

-Any better with the hair down?

-No, absolutely not!

Aurora's theatre seats over 600 people.

This way, down the stairs,

watch the stairs as you come down, cos it's a bit slippery.

Stage manager Paul is taking the cast to the pit.

This giant stage lift is an essential part of the shows.

If you want to stand on the pit then and we'll lift you all up,

so you get an idea of what it's like being on it.

It's moving!

Everyone is now very aware that "curtain up" is just two days away.

As they head to deeper waters, the swell continues to get heavier

and it's starting to affect rehearsals.

One, two, three, four and five. Right, stop there. You know what,

guys, because of the movement,

I don't want lifts or anything lie that.

So, don't go too full out.

It's a lot to take in anyway without the motion of the ocean, as they say.

You know, it's bad enough when they can stand still,

they've got to remember where they are going and when they are moving

and which exit and entrance.

When it's moving, they've got that to contend with as well,

it just adds to it.

Mark's feeling it, I think, and he just looks shattered.

It's just so much more tiring because you're not...

and it's hard to focus on where your spacing is.

I get this thing on my back where it goes really hot and I'm like, "Oh!"

The theatre is at the front of the ship

and gets the worst of the rough swell.

The movement's affecting everyone on board.

It's all too much for Mark

and the production team are discussing what to do.

If it gets really bad, we can call the duty nurse and we can give him

an injection.

That loses him for the day, then.

It makes you sleep for about three days, I had it last cruise I was on.

There are buckets they can use to throw up in

or I can get some sick bags down there.

We just need to reiterate to him that this is as bad as it gets.

Cos a lot of it is panic - "If I feel like this now,

"what am I going to feel like later on?!"

In the end, Mark manages to power on through.

It's a tough introduction to life at sea!

The next morning, they've reached calmer waters.

As Aurora heads for its first stop

in Madeira, everyone's feeling much perkier.

The cast are back on form, including Mark.

I spent most of yesterday on the floor, lying down.

It was like, "Mark, can you do this bit?" "Yeah, fine, la, la, la,"

sing your bit and then return to a horizontal position in the corner.

OK, floor's going down, dead man on.

The countdown to opening night is nearly over.

The final rehearsals bring together costumes, lighting and props.

Stand by, please...positions!

-It's getting real.

-Yeah.

We're feeling like pop stars with these mics.

MUSIC: "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum

Ready?

Go!

None of the cast had even been born when these songs were first hits.

Then you can count them in, ready for the YMCA.

Obviously, it was rocky yesterday but they've slept on it

and today it has gone in and they are standing in the right places

and they have remembered what they are doing, so I am pleased.

In barely 24 hours, the Headliners will be doing the real thing

in front of a real audience.

The ship's now been at sea for three days.

The passengers are relaxing ahead of tonight's main attraction.

This is our show day, our first time.

Any of the passengers on the ship are going to see what we've been

doing for the last nine weeks.

13 singers and dancers prepare for their cast debut.

Showtime!

Everyone's slightly on edge.

Your fringe is as long as my eyebrows.

Boys, back off, all right!

I've got my show make-up on, it's time to go. There'll be people

already sitting out in the auditorium waiting.

Don't panic, lots of energy and sock it to them.

CHEERING

Safety video starting, thank you.

There's an audience of 600, all expecting star quality.

Let's do it!

-Ten weeks for this.

-Yeah, man!

Ready onstage. Stand by, please.

Let's go, let's go!

ANNOUNCER: Imagine, if you will,

a planet floating in deepest outer space.

Imagine a different world, imagine a place

totally unlike the globe we know today...

The roller coast starts today.

..no internet, totally unbelievable, I know!

It's all a long way from

an industrial estate back in Southampton.

# An automatic alarm turns me my radio on. #

# We are family, yeah, yeah, yeah

# Get up, everybody, and sing! #

# Go on, now, go

# Walk out the door

# I will survive, yeah! #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

The first medley has gone down well

but backstage there's no time to hang around.

The next cue is now activated, floor's coming up.

# I like it, I like it

# I like it, I like it

# I lie-lie-like it...#

They're all really smiley out there!

# Oh-oh! Rocking all over the world! #

-It's really nice for our first show.

-They all seem to be enjoying it.

They're all clapping along.

# I like it, I like it

# I lie-lie-lie-like it

# Lie-lie-lie-like it

# Here we go! #

After another lightning change, the boy singers have to

head for the pit on the deck below, ready for their next number.

# When will I see you again? #

James is running late.

# When will we share precious moments? #

Let me know when you get the cast down there.

If he does not make it on time, the show will grind to a halt.

# Will I have to wait forever? #

That needs to go, mate, or we're going to be late.

Mark and Jackie are already in position for the lift.

It's a close call... James gets there just in time.

Far, far too late. You need to be earlier than that.

I'll talk to Jess between the shows.

But the audience will never know.

# Little girl, you look so lonesome

# I see you're feeling blue. #

# You're more than a number in my little red book

# You're more than a one-night stand

-# So, darling!

-So, darling! #

Just weeks ago, the creative team were worried about the boy singers

but they've come up trumps.

# You're more than a number in my little red book

# You're more than a one-night stand

# Ba-ba. #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

The hits and costume changes keep coming.

It's non-stop all the way to the big finale.

# Don't blame it on the sunshine

# Don't blame it on the moonlight

# Don't blame it on the good times

# Blame it on the boogie

# Boogie! Boogie!

# Boogie! Boogie! Yeah! #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

The crowd have loved it, and the cast of Headliners are on a high.

One down!

-Woo!

-Finished!

SHE SHRIEKS

Look at my face, absolutely sweating and that is how I feel

but I'm on a buzz now.

Thank you so much for coming.

That was hard work!

I did a few mistakes but I loved it, it was so good when we walked out

everyone, all the audience, were really smiling and going for it.

They seemed to enjoy it and we loved it.

All you can ask is that everybody gives 100%

and they have definitely given 100% from day one and it pays off.

It's been a tough couple of months, but they've

helped each other along the way and the adventure has only just begun.

When I turned up on the first day,

we thought it would all be fun and daisies but now,

coming out the other side, you realise it is a lot of hard work.

We get to do what we love to do as performers

and see the world at the same time. There isn't another job like it!