Show pros add the final finish (From Dudley News)

Show pros add the final finish

3:34pm Wednesday 16th July 2008

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A TEAM of leading theatre professionals are making final preparations for a show in a unique underground setting.

Wrosne – An Underground Experience is the latest production from Leaps & Bounds, a small group who have been working with 60 young people from the region for 18 months to prepare for the performances in Dudley’s Singing Carvern at The Black Country Living Museum.

The team, headed by Dudley Council principal arts officer, Keith Horsfall, includes members who can boast a wealth of experience in theatre production having worked with stars such as Jose Carreras, Elaine Paige, Jasper Carrott, Marti Pellow and Van Morrison.

Keith said: “Suggesting we get so many young people, who have never performed before, build an underground theatre and then boat hundreds of people in to watch a show with music, dance and drama, would strike most people as overly ambitious.

“But for the team at Leaps & Bounds this is just the sort of challenge we rise to.

“It shows the young people we work with that all sorts of things are possible in life and it encourages us to push boundaries.”

Managing the ground-breaking Wrosne project is Fred Richings.

Fred studied theatre design at Birmingham and worked in Blackpool, Oldham, Hull, Whitby and Leatherhead as a designer.

He was appointed director of the Pegasus Theatre in Oxford where he developed the youth theatre, extended the building and established it as a significant touring venue.

He moved onto become director of the Crawford Arts Centre, Liverpool, in 1985 which was then the largest purpose built Youth Arts Centre in UK, he joining Dudley Council six years ago.

Fred said: “My experience has shown that young people have a great deal to offer and this project is no exception.

“Thanks to Leaps & Bounds young people are able to participate in an arts project of the highest standard.”

Other members of the team include Olivier award nominated director Rachel Sharpe and composer Andrew Kristy.

Andrew has worked on shows including The Friday Rock Show (BBC1), East Meets West (BBC2), and Big World Café (Channel 4).

Nigel Kennedy and Nusrat Fateh Alla Khan have both performed his music on TV.

The Wrosne show will feature youngsters from Dudley’s Wren’s Nest and Priory estates, telling the story of their experiences as they open a new nightclub.

There will be two performances each evening at 6pm and 8pm on July 20, 21, 23 and 25 featuring music, drama, singing, dance, storytelling and special effects, each catering for 100 spectators.

Councillor David Caunt, leader of Dudley Council, said: “Dudley’s caverns have been turned into a subterranean theatre for this show which has brought together professionals from the world of theatre and young people.

“If you haven’t already, book tickets to avoid missing the boat.”

Tickets for the July shows are still available from Dudley box office on 01384 812812.

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