Review: Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama Showcase 2015

This 48^th Anniversary Gala student Showcase from Nottingham based Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama showing twice at Nottingham Playhouse is totally outstanding and utterly professional. Every single aspect of the showcase is polished to a glittering sheen of its singing and dancing life.

 

This reviewer had the privilege of seeing the third year graduate show at London's Criterion Theatre in May this year and that was mightily impressive. Now this exciting Nottingham showcase features ninety-six students from across all three years including the twenty-six from the graduating class.

The hard work that has clearly gone into presenting this student showcase is breath-taking. There is never a moment's respite in the packed programme and full appreciation must go to the totally dedicated staff at MADD under the principal Frances Clayton and production co-ordinator Edward Nudd. Especial notice should be given to professional choreographers and directors Emma Clayton, Ryan Lee Seager, Stewart Arnold, Mark Webb, Daniel Gordon, Mark Hedges, Stuart Hayes, Kamilah Beckles and Sue Sparham. Additionally, the total theatrical package wouldn't be complete with the superb live band with musical director Callum Clarke and the amazing light ( Leigh Mulpeter) and sound (Rob Ketteridge) from MAC Productions Ltd.

The showcase features sixteen musical numbers including dance in various styles. The first half highlights have to be a re-imagined Bohemian Rhapsody, the opening number Queen of The Night, a very funny Keep It Gay, and Please Don't Touch Me performed by Amanda Blockley and Braidley Wilson. There's some terrific heart stopping dance in The Rich Man's Frug, frightening all male choreography in the menacing Where's Your Head At? and we finish with the vibrant closing piece The Rhythm of Life featuring the entire third year ensemble.

The second half opens up spectacularly with Steel Town Sky followed by third year vocalists Summer Rozenbroek, Rebecca Telling, Sadie Marie-Ebbon and Savanna Darnell singing I Have Nothing to great applause. Comedy highlights in the second half include Man Up and the flirty Doctors' Orders and more sombre pieces such as the touching dance piece Amazing Grace. Throughout the showcase the dancers excel in their often athletic work showing their dedication, fitness and fluidity and hard won choreography that make it all look easy. Such talent takes years of honing and the capacity audience clearly appreciated them.

In writing a review one is conscious of those artistes not mentioned and in this case theatrical numbers equally not mentioned. Certainly every one of the ninety-six performers perfectly demonstrate why their top talents have been chosen to be a student at such a prestigious school as Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama! They should all be very very proud. Next to me in the audience are the parents of a young woman who is starting her course at MADD in September this year. In the interval they tell me that she is sitting at the end of the row and is getting emotional at the thoughts and sights of what lies ahead of her. Her parents seem extremely impressed as were many a set of parents and families in this capacity audience tonight. She can look forward to being coached by industry professionals of the highest calibre.

The showcase ends on a huge high as a costumed cavalcade of singers and dancers begin the final numbers by the full company. The Freak Flag story book character costumes are totally brilliant and there seems to be a never ending flow of students spilling out of every door and lining the auditorium. The whole audience is smiling and clapping along and as the final notes of the following Car Wash number hit the roof the fully deserved applause is deafening.

After the showcase and outside of my opinion and outside the theatre itself are a very happy crowd of audience well wishers including former students who have come along to support the current students. The terms “brilliant”, “extremely professional” and “loved the way it all flowed” echo through the throng. #rogeroverandout.

PS: To read more about my visit to the MADD college earlier this year click this LINK.

Production photo credits Joe Shaw

Review of Graduate Showcase (MADD) at The Criterion Theatre London

Graduate Showcase for MADD college Nottingham students at The Criterion Theatre. May 11^th 2015.

The Criterion Theatre in London's West End is one of the most beautiful and characterful theatres I have ever seen. Echoing with the energy of its current production of The 39 Steps the empty stage is set for the twenty-five young graduates of Nottingham's MADD (Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama) to showcase their triple threat talents. Industry agents sit in the circle eager to see what special talents await them. Music pulses. The house lights go down and an hour long extravaganza begins.

Directed by Emma Clayton, the showcase is a musically bright mix of ensemble numbers, solos and duets interspersed with short explosive hits of comedy and drama all knitted together with cleverly thought through transitions. The transitions give the showcase a fluid and unified feel and keep the pace going throughout.

The main ensemble numbers Thoroughly Modern Millie, and the finale number 'Transylvania Mania' – Young Frankenstein (Mel Brooks) demonstrate the students highly trained professional musical focus and unselfish performances. The energy is strong in both pieces, the vocal clarity pin sharp and the two sections are choreographically tight. With only an hour to prove themselves both ends of the showcase start and finish with colourful fun and pizazz.

Then, during the show, we witness the shorter single sex ensembles both from South Pacific by Rogers and Hammerstein. The seven guys singing 'There is Nothin' Like A Dame' all deliver spot on performances vital in a piece where just one performer with poorer diction can ruin the feel of it. Not so with these guys and they really look like they are having tremendous fun with the song and delivering it professionally.

Also from South Pacific we have the other end of the sexual argument with the eleven female performers oozing sweet femininity offset by gutsy determination with their strong rendition of 'I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair' . Already we have performances from two musical theatre shows from the past. In an age of theatrical entertainment, there are demands for a varied style mix of shows in the West End and throughout the UK. Where nostalgic classics can prove a real box office draw and become critical hits it is crucial that today's students are versatile enough to be able to audition and perform to suit the period nature of the piece. These Midlands based students have no fear here and can hold their best alongside the London based schools. The standard is extremely high.

Built into the programme there are short scenes from drama based works. Mostly, these are of a comedic nature and actor Benjamin Hart proves that comedy is often best done as a serious business to gain the laughs. He demonstrates his straight faced comedy best alongside the versatile Matthew Brock in Hit and Run created by David Dalton and Chad Schnackel. Holly Wathall and Jessica Gilbert are both hilarious in Sloppy Mouth and totally all out brave in the execution of the physical comedy.

Benjamin Hart

Certain comedy needs to be shown as an heightened form of reality, non-more-so than in the audition based piece 'You Laughing At Me'. In the showcase this is pulled off well by actors Savanna Darnell, Sadie Renée Malo and Frances Alicia. In a theatrical environment with an audience of theatre folk this particular piece goes down a treat especially because it is so well done, including the deliberately bad Laarndan accent.

Out of all the comedy pieces 'Over The Edge', (written by David Dalton and Chad Schnackel) performed with wit and alacrity by Leanne Storey, Harriet Guard and Francis Alicia is beautifully done. The focus on the invisible car about to be 'helped' over the edge of a cliff is so well judged one believes in the car and the comedy responses by the women when they realise the man inside isn't dead are - to die for.



Kennedy Faith

With the one serious piece of drama namely Two by Jim Cartwright actors Joshua -Kyle Cantrill and Kennedy Faith put a dangerous edge to this scary piece about chauvinistic manipulation. At times it is so unbearably cruel that one wants to leap up in protection of the woman. Of course Cartwright's writing is darkly affecting but the bravery and treatment of it by the actors and their director make it really live. Kyle Cantrill and Faith perform this piece with extremely mature and courageous performances.

Joshua Kyle-Cantrill

The modern dance performance Joie De Vie (Natalia Kills/Rihanna) fully demonstrates the commitment and talent to dance by the MADD students that brought such admiration and applause from the audience at the Move It dance expo recently. Dance done as good as this is never easy but these dedicated students make the finished result look effortless. This is due to the natural talents nurtured to a fine point by the professional training they receive at MADD college.

The showcase is littered with quality solo songs all sung to a very professional standard. Amongst these are Sondheim's 'Broadway Baby' sung by Rebecca Telling plus two numbers from Thoroughly Modern Millie –  'Gimmie Gimmie' sung by Holly Wathall and the jazzy 'Only In New York' given a great smoky vocal treatment by Summer Rozenbroek. The Calamity Jane classic 'Secret Love' is a hit for student Jessica Gilbert and Lauren Hart finds the camp humour in 'It's Hard To Tell' – Soho Cinders. She is helped by the funny interpretations of the men completing the feel of the piece.

The duets don't go by unnoticed either particularly when done with such style. Kennedy Faith with Thomas Adam Monk express well the musically challenging style of Jason Robert Brown through his wry comic song 'A Summer In Ohio'. Daniel Fuins and Matthew Brock find the total silliness in 'We Can Do It' from Mel Brooks' The Producers.

Real charisma on stage is that undefinable thing borne of natural talents encouraged and honed, coupled with an innate gift for heartfelt interpretation. In a cast of twenty-five clearly talented students destined to do the MADD college proud in the theatrical arts sector two students for this reviewer stood out. Sadie Marie – Ebbon and Savanna Darnell.

Both of them are excellent in their comedy roles but more especially in their solo songs. Sadie Marie-Ebbon pulls the heart-strings with her touching and polished rendition of Marc Shaiman's 'Fly, Fly Away – Catch Me If You Can'. In her interpretation she brings out much of the song's tender feeling. At times, during her mesmerising presentation I am reminded of a younger Frances Ruffelle. A very confident piece.

Sadie Marie Ebbon

With another song by Marc Shaiman – this time from the popular musical Hairspray - Savanna Darnell brings all of her character's smoky soul filled glamour to the stage with 'I Know Where I've Been'. Darnell is most certainly one to watch and judging from the audience's whooping and cheering reaction today they could have watched her and listened to her sing all night.



Savanna Darnell

In this sparkling and packed showcase of twenty-nine pieces featuring twenty-five young talents this reviewer can only applaud the work that has gone into its presentation at one of London's most historic theatres. It is impossible to mention everyone for everything in a short review but given the excellent professional standards experienced today many of the students could graduate and achieve lengthy careers in the arts.

Praise should also be given to Principal Frances Clayton and all the supremely dedicated staff/tutors at MADD for showing that there is great young talent to be nurtured in the Midlands.

 

Budding talents at Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama.

Given my avid interest in musical theatre I was especially delighted to be invited to speak to Midlands Academy of Dance and Drama principal Frances Clayton at their Nottingham base last week. The college stands proudly at the top of a hill in Carlton Nottingham and as I approached its front entrance I was met by a group of very happy looking students on their way to a dance class in the college's second purpose built building. My first impression was of energy and enthusiasm and students keen to develop their craft through expert tuition often from West End professionals.

Frances spoke to me extensively about the college's decision to include a level 6 Diploma in Musical Theatre (3 year course) additional to the 1 Year Foundation Musical Theatre Course, the pre-vocational training for 3 to 16 year old's and the very popular Summer course in July. The level 6 Professional 3 year Musical Theatre diploma validated by Trinity London provides an APEL (Approved Prior Experience and Learning) route into the BA (Hons) Professional Practice (BAPP) designed by Middlesex University for awarded students. This gives participants the opportunity, following graduation at MADD, to study for a BA(Hons) while continuing with their professional performing career. Additionally the Professional Performing Arts Diplomas provide an APEL route into some MA programmes.

Frances Clayton said that there a very good employment success rate for their graduates and that the high standards they enforce match that of the London based colleges. They are also accredited with the Council for Dance Education and Training and their academic standards are set and monitored through Trinity College London. David Essex OBE, Arlene Phillips OBE and David Wood OBE are the three patrons of the college.

As well as generously offering a talented boy student a full scholarship worth £26,400 (3 year training at MADD on the Professional Musical Theatre Diploma Course David Essex takes time out to visit the college whenever he is in Nottingham. He also goes to see the graduates perform at the Criterion Theatre in London. Frances described him as having extensive personal knowledge as a seasoned performer and writer who is keen to develop new talents, sometimes offering chances of employment in his own shows, all achieved with a quiet elegance. When David Essex was on tour with his show 'All The Fun Of The Fair' he attended the MADD college with his two leads and offered valuable insights into the business to the students including sharing the knowledge that each one of the students should recognised that their biggest asset was their uniqueness. Additionally, the Stage newspaper offer an opportunity to audition for a full scholarship for one boy and one girl.

Arlene Phillips OBE and world renowned choreographer offers her continual support as patron even though she is constantly in work and often on the other side of the world. Arlene is a very busy and sort after individual and in great demand for her skills. She is also patron of the IDTA. Through her recommendations several of the MADD students have got work in shows like Starlight Express (UK and Germany) and Grease.

Writer David Wood OBE writes and produces pre-dominantly theatre for children and he is the only writer allowed to adapt the works of Roald Dahl for the stage. Amongst many other titles David Wood's adaptations include The Fantastic Mr Fox and James and The Giant Peach. Frances Clayton's own daughter Emma has worked continually with David Wood in the theatre. He often attends the college and showcases and is constantly on the look out for new talent. He has a big input in the casting of his shows. In 2014 he came over to Nottingham to do workshops with the third year students. In 2013 he came to workshop a play and one of the female students impressed him so much with her all round talents and particular gift of comedy that he suggested she audition for his theatre adaptation, The Tiger That Came To Tea. She was given work and has toured all around the world with the show.

After our chat in the MADD office Frances gave me a leisurely tour of the college and I had the great pleasure of sitting in on some of the classes including a singing class with about twenty mixed students held by actor/singer and West End performer Shona Lindsay. Shona has performed as Christine in the London production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of The Opera alongside Glyn Kerslake as Phantom for 18 months. Glynn is also engaged as a tutor periodically at the college. The students cannot but benefit from Shona's fantastic musical theatre pedigree. Whilst I was there a young girl student was selected to sing her choice of song in front of the note taking and observing class. The young woman sang 'Look What Happened to Mabel from Mack and Mabel.' Shona coached her on her breathing and on her delivery and the importance of the knowledge of the back story and character. The whole class began with a powerful vocal warm up and were 120% attentive to the tutor and pianist. I sense that there is a profound amount of dedication in this college, not just from the devoted and skilled staff but from the young people themselves and none of it came across as false hopes at stardom more as true development of innate talents ready for realistic work in the theatre or other entertainment mediums.

I also briefly sat in on two drama classes – one based on the musical Chicago – complete with dancers in the wings as a young man sang Mr Cellophane and the other deep in discussion about the characters in Animal Farm. As the students here are trained in dance, singing and drama I my time was also spent in a class teaching ballet. This was mostly young women but there were a few young men in the class too. Before I reluctantly left (could have happily stayed all day) I attended a one to one singing session with a student who was fresh from the ballet class and sang beautifully.

All in all, a wonderful short insight into the daily routines and enthusiastic practices of all at MADD college in Nottingham. Thank you to all the friendly and welcoming staff and students and especially to Principal Frances Clayton for sparing her valuable time to show me around and talk about her exemplary school. I got the distinct impression that MADD is a college that genuinely cares for its students and their futures. I very much look forward to the showcase at Nottingham Playhouse on
19^th and 20^th June 2015.

Images with kind permission of MADD.

Nottingham Playhouse - a fabulous dance season ahead

My Nottingham Playhouse brochure for 2014 dropped on my door map yesterday and what an array of fabulous theatrical and modern dance goodies it held within.

My personal highlight of the year (a must see in my opinion) is the Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre - The Rite of Spring and Petrushka (Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd May). It just feels and looks phenomenal.

In a programme rich with dance I would pick out BalletBoyz:theTALENT featuring ten exceptional male dancers in two exciting and explosive dance works by choreographers Russell Maliphant and Liam Scarlett. (Monday 31st March). Onward into the brochure I found that the Playhouse are to be blessed with the dance talents of Richard Alston Dance Company on (Tuesday 29th April). They are presenting three dance works, Shimmer, Illuminations and Madcap in the evening of modern dance.

On Wednesday 12th March, Sheffield based, Vincent Dance Theatre present Motherland and this promises to be a funny and moving show about 'having it all'. Motherland is billed as 'uncompromising yet utterly accessible' and has a broad appeal for both sexes through its potent blend of theatre, live music and dance. The New York Times called it "Astonishingly original."

Fancy a madcap dance cabaret? Then on Saturday 17th May Dance 4 along with Nottingham Playhouse present Hercules: A Dance Cabaret. The story of Hercules is told through hilarious dance routines and amazing speciality acts. It's a modern cabaret the whole family can enjoy.

U.DANCE 2014 are presenting shows over the weekend of Friday 27th of June until Sunday 29th of June. Nottingham Playhouse are hosting three distinct shows that will bring together hundreds of talented young dancers from across the UK. Visit www.u-dance.org for more information.

Ballet Black: For their debut at the Playhouse, the company are presenting a triple bill of new work with exciting ballets from two of Britain's best choreographers, Christopher Marney and Martin Lawrence. Plus, award winning dance maker, Arthur Pita creates Black Ballet's newest narrative ballet. Wednesday 2nd July.

More locally we have the opportunity to witness the dance talents of students at the Nottingham Theatre Dance School in their Showcase 2014. Produced by principal Jane Moreton, students from age 3 to adults will perform classical ballet, contemporary dance, modern dance, jazz dance, musical theatre and tap dance. Sunday 25th May

On Friday 20th and Saturday 21st of June the MADD college proudly presents their Gala Showcase featuring the talented students of their three year Professional Musical Theatre diploma course with a live orchestra. The show is directed and choreographed by leading professionals from the performing arts industry.

Finally, The Tracy Quaife Theatre Dance School will be showing their 'Dance Express 2014 and Variations 3 programme. This promises to be two days of superb entertainment choreographed and produced by principal Tracy Quaife. This show will be showcasing the young talented dancers and maybe Nottingham's young stars of the future.

For booking any of the dance events go to www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk or call the box office 0115 9419419