The Associate Director to Cameron Mackintosh to work with non professionals
Ken Caswell, the Associate Director to Cameron Mackintosh, is heading to the famous ballroom of The Winter Gardens Pavilion at Weston-super-Mare in August. He will lead a three day workshop that aims to give adults a taster of the West End rehearsal and performance process. The course will focus on scenes from the musical, Les Miserables*. It is worth noting that Ken Caswell, who originated the role of the Bishop in the West End production and recording of Les Miserables, later went on to direct seventeen worldwide productions of Les Miserables and other musical theatre works for Sir Cameron Mackintosh.
The professional production company behind “West End… To You” is Sang de Vie Productions Ltd. They have latterly been involved in producing new musical theatre works, recordings and feature films in the UK.
Having recently being invited to their London office, to discuss the “West End To You” course, I met with creators of this particular venture – the professional West End performer, Christian Billett and theatrical agent, Stephanie Evans. I asked them about the three day course and what it would entail for the participants.
“We’re all very excited about the workshops in Weston-super-Mare” enthused Stephanie. “Christian and I have been through the rehearsal process many times during our working careers but we wanted to share this experience with others. Those who may never get to see that side of a professional production.”
Christian added, “The course aims to give adults, over the age of eighteen, a chance to work with some of the very best in the entertainment business; to develop new skills and to have fun!”
It strikes me that both Christan and Stephanie have great enthusiasm for a subject they know only too well. A cursory glance over their respective biographies reveals their impressive professional experience. From West End shows to teaching and production. I note that Stephanie often played the characters of Eponine and Fantine in an earlier production of Les Miserables.
“That was a long time ago, when I was a performer” she explains. “I remember how useful all the preparation was when it came to performing that role for the first time. That’s what we’re going to convey to the people on the course. The importance of that preparatory process and what it involves.”
“There will also be a West End Musical Director on the course,” Christian tells me, “To lend his own experience to these workshops.” Christian then informs me that, on the final day of the course, a current member from the West End production of Les Miserables will be available to answer questions, to work on scenes and will join the participants in their final semi-staged performance in front of friends and family.
The “West End… To You” course sounds to me like a great opportunity for those participants. I wish them well for this new venture. The course will be held at the Winter Gardens Pavilion in Weston-super-Mare on August 27th, 28th and 29th.
More details can be found at http://www.westendtoyou.com
*By kind permission of Cameron Mackintosh
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