Saturday 22 November 2014

News: Godspell In Concert Launches Nationwide Choir Search



Sing In Exaltation!

Godspell In Concert Launches Nationwide Choir Search


Godspell, Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz’ legendary rock musical is back. Following the enormous success of 2014’s gala performance at London’s Shaftesbury Avenue’s Lyric Theatre, in support of the charity Make-A-Wish-Foundation®UK, Godspell In Concert is set to tour the UK in 2015, opening at the Hackney Empire on the 4th April. Today the show’s producers launch an exciting search, as for the first time in British theatre history, fully formed choirs from all over the country are being given the opportunity to take part in a professional touring musical production direct from the West End.
This exciting opportunity to perform on the professional stage will see choirs chosen to perform at a local venue across the country* as part of the ensemble cast. Working with a West End cast and creative team, each choir will be coached to their moment in the spotlight.

Choirs will sing some of the most popular songs from the show, on the stage of some of the UK’s most prestigious theatres - accompanied by the fantastic Godspell in Concert band.

Producers are looking for mixed-voice SATB (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass) choirs with an excellent musical and performance standard and choir members must be a minimum of 16 years of age.

Choirs at each performance venue will be comprised of 28 singers. Half the choir will be static and the other half will ‘move’ (not dance) and will be directed by a choreographer. Four dedicated West End performers will make each choir’s number up to 32 and either one choir in total or two choirs will be cast for each venue.

Each choir will receive the expert tutelage of Musical Director Russell Scott who is at the helm of the show’s spectacular new orchestration. Russell has worked in the music industry, professionally, for over 30 years working in the worlds of Classical and Musical Theatre.
He is not only an accomplished singer, but also a Vocal Coach, Producer, Musical and Choral Director. As a performer, he has performed all over the world, as a soloist with leading choirs and orchestras. With over 100,000 record sales across his four solo albums, he’s also appeared on countless film soundtracks, opera, pop and musical theatre recordings. Russell is Chorus Director of Next Stage Choir and works regularly with choirs and ensembles.

Musical Director Russell Scott says of today’s announcement: “I have been working with choirs and ensembles for almost 15 years, varying in ages and standards. The great thing about singing is it makes people feel good and can change your mood in an instant. I am so thrilled choirs have been brought more into the public domain in recent years. Choirs are for everyone and I am passionate about working with them and bringing out their best. I wanted to bring a choral element to Godspell and so reworked the score which is essentially written for 10 principles. I re-orchestrated the ensemble parts to encompass a choir and the result sounded incredible bringing out the true soul of the piece. There are some great songs to sing, and the addition of a choir just makes the sound even more exciting to listen to.  My vision was to take Godspell In Concert on the road and to cast choirs from around the country to take part. Godspell was conceived as a community piece and what better idea than to bring communities together to sing in a professional UK touring production? It’s never been done before and I am thrilled to be undertaking this huge challenge to bring choirs together with our touring professionals and to give opportunities to singers all across the UK to take part in this unique production.”

The application process is simple – choirs can visit the show website www.godspellinconcert.com from Tuesday 18th November and apply online. The closing date for applications is Friday 19th December and after this date shortlisted choirs will be invited to one of six regional auditions in January with a view to the successful choirs being informed at the end of that month.

The UK tour will feature a brand new, modern-day rock score packed to the heavens with favourites such as Light of the World, All Good Gifts and Day by Day.
This timeless tale of friendship, loyalty and love has touched the hearts of countless theatregoers all over the world - and now UK theatre fans can join in the celebration as a spectacular ensemble is set to stir souls and raise spirits, aided by a full live band.

Prior to the gala, the show last played the West End in 1972 at the Wyndham’s Theatre, where it turned David Essex into an overnight sensation and more recently Godspell has enjoyed a hugely successful run on Broadway.

By permission of Stephen Schwartz - the Grammy® and Academy Award®- winning composer of Wicked and Pippin - Russell Scott and Mark Pettitt for Godspell in Concert UK Ltd will produce the 12 week UK tour. Kenneth Avery-Clark directs the production which was critically lauded at its London performance.
Full UK casting to be announced later in 2014.

*where possible



Tour:

SAT 4TH - SUN 5TH APRIL                                            BOX OFFICE: 020 8985 2424
HACKNEY EMPIRE                                                    www.hackneyempire.co.uk

TUE 7TH – WED 8TH APRIL                                          BOX OFFICE: 0844 7701 797
GUILDFORD, G LIVE                                                 www.glive.co.uk

SUN 12TH APRIL                                                         BOX OFFICE: 02380 711811
SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER                                www.mayflower.org.uk

TUE 14TH – WED 15TH APRIL                                      BOX OFFICE: 01492 872 000
LLANDUDNO, VENUE CYMRU                                 www.venuecymru.co.uk

FRI 17THSAT 18TH APRIL                                          BOX OFFICE: 029 2087 8889
CARDIFF, NEW THEATRE                                           www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk
                                                                                               
TUE 21ST APRIL                                                           BOX OFFICE: 01792 475715
SWANSEA, GRAND THEATRE                                   www.swansea.gov.uk/grandtheatre

FRI 24TH APRIL                                                            BOX OFFICE: 0118 960 6060
READING HEXAGON                                                www.readingarts.com/thehexagon

SUN 26TH APRIL                                                          BOX OFFICE: 01273 709709
BRIGHTON DOME                                                    www.brightondome.org

TUE 28TH - WED 29TH APRIL                                       BOX OFFICE: 023 9282 8282
SOUTHSEA, KING’S THEATRE                                    www.kings-southsea.com

TUE 5TH MAY – WED 6TH MAY                                   BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3023           
TORQUAY, PRINCESS THEATRE                                 www.atgtickets.com/torquay

SAT 9THSUN 10TH MAY                                           BOX OFFICE: 0844 8000 400
LIVERPOOL, ECHO ARENA AUDITORIUM                http://www.echoarena.com/

TUE 12TH – WED 13TH MAY                                        BOX OFFICE:  0844 576 3000
BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION                                       www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk

FRI 15THSAT 16TH MAY                                            BOX OFFICE: 01473 433100
IPSWICH, REGENT THEATRE                                      www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk

TUES 19TH MAY                                                           BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 7660
MANCHESTER PALACE                                              www.atgtickets.com

THURS 21ST, FRI 22ND, SAT 23RD MAY                         BOX OFFICE: 01325 486555
CIVIC THEATRE, DARLINGTON                                  www.darlington.gov.uk/arts
MON 25TH – TUE 26TH MAY                                       BOX OFFICE: 0844 847 2426
GRIMBSY AUDITORIUM                                              www.atgtickets.com

FRI 29THSAT 30TH MAY                                             BOX OFFICE: 01322 220000
ORCHARD THEATRE, DARTFORD                              www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

MON 1ST – TUE 2ND JUNE                                          BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3011
BIRMINGHAM, NEW ALEXANDRA                         www.atgtickets/com 

FRI 5TH JUNE                                                              BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3020                         
OXFORD, NEW THEATRE                                           www.atgtickets.com

SAT 13TH JUNE                                                            BOX OFFICE: 01424 462288
HASTINGS, WHITE ROCK                                          www.whiterocktheatre.org.uk

MON 15TH- TUE 16TH                                                  BOX OFFICE:  01482 300 300
HULL, NEW THEATRE                                                  www.hullcc.gov.uk/hullnewtheatre

FRI 19THSAT 20TH JUNE                                           BOX OFFICE: 01274 432000
BRADFORD, ST. GEORGES CONCERT HALL            www.bradford-theatres.co.uk

MON 22ND JUNE                                                       BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 7645
WOKING, NEW VICTORIA THEATRE                         www.atgtickets.com

TUES 23RD – WED 24TH JUNE                                     BOX OFFICE: 0845 075 3993
WATFORD COLOSSEUM                                www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk                                     

SUN 28THSAT 29TH JUNE                                         BOX OFFICE: 01253 290 190
BLACKPOOL, GRAND THEATRE                               www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk

WED 1ST JULY                                                             BOX OFFICE: 01494 512000
HIGH WYCOMBE, SWAN THEATRE                          www.wycombeswan.co.uk

FRI 3RD JULY                                                               BOX OFFICE: 01604 624811
NORTHAMPTON DERNGATE                                    www.royalandderngate.co.uk   
                                                                                                                                                                       

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