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
SUN 12TH
APRIL BOX OFFICE: 02380
711811
SOUTHAMPTON MAYFLOWER www.mayflower.org.uk
TUE 14TH – WED 15TH APRIL BOX OFFICE: 01492 872 000
FRI 17TH – SAT 18TH
APRIL BOX OFFICE: 029 2087 8889
TUE 21ST APRIL BOX OFFICE: 01792 475715
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
TUE 5TH MAY – WED 6TH
MAY BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 3023
TORQUAY, PRINCESS THEATRE www.atgtickets.com/torquay
SAT 9TH
– SUN 10TH MAY BOX OFFICE: 0844 8000 400
TUE 12TH – WED 13TH MAY BOX OFFICE: 0844 576 3000
BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION www.bournemouthpavilion.co.uk
FRI 15TH – SAT 16TH
MAY BOX OFFICE: 01473 433100
IPSWICH, REGENT
THEATRE www.apps.ipswich.gov.uk
TUES 19TH
MAY BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 7660
THURS 21ST, FRI 22ND, SAT 23RD
MAY BOX OFFICE: 01325
486555
MON 25TH – TUE 26TH MAY BOX OFFICE: 0844 847 2426
FRI 29TH –SAT 30TH MAY BOX OFFICE: 01322 220000
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
MON 15TH- TUE 16TH BOX OFFICE: 01482 300 300
BRADFORD, ST. GEORGES CONCERT HALL www.bradford-theatres.co.uk
MON 22ND JUNE BOX OFFICE: 0844 871 7645
TUES 23RD –
WED 24TH JUNE BOX OFFICE: 0845 075 3993
SUN 28TH
– SAT 29TH JUNE BOX OFFICE: 01253 290 190
WED 1ST JULY BOX OFFICE: 01494 512000
FRI 3RD JULY BOX OFFICE: 01604
624811
