The Cotswolds | Archive | 2004 | September | 23
From the archive, first published Thursday 23rd Sep 2004.
A CHANCE CD purchase spawned an idea for a musical production by Phoenix Theatre Group.
Claire Perkins, who is directing the group's latest production The Boyfriend, discovered an interest in the musical when she bought a CD of the production.
In the past the juniors in Phoenix Theatre Group have only had the chance to act in the group's yearly pantomime with adults, so this year Claire decided to do something different for the youngsters.
"We were thinking of doing something for the kids, and I started looking for something for them to do," said Claire.
"I picked up music from The Boyfriend on CD for 50p from Long Marston market, and I listened to it and thought `Yes'."
The Boyfriend, which is set in the 1920s in a Girls Finishing School in France, is classed as a musical play.
The 23-strong junior cast, aged 11 to 25, have been rehearsing since April, and this is the first production Claire has directed. Gail Andrews is the choreographer.
"We knew that we'd need some of the older ones for the parts, that's why we put the age up to 25," said Claire.
Claire, aged 29, has been a member of Phoenix Theatre Group for 13 years.
"It's nice to get the younger ones involved in the group," she added.
The Boyfriend is at Evesham Arts Centre, on Thursday, October 14, Friday, October 15 and Saturday, October 16.
Tickets cost £7 each on 01386 870108.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008