PREVIEW Musical Theatre Day
A TRIPLE-THREAT TRIUMPH Assistant Director for Music and Creative Arts (Creative Arts) Stephanie Lamplough shares how Musical Theatre Day is still alive and thriving
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AST year’s Musical Theatre Day set out to bring the Army’s musical theatre heritage back to life for a new generation. While initially unsure how well the day would be received, the Music and Creative Arts Unit (MACA) recognised that there was a lot of interest in musical theatre, especially among young children. ‘At first we were a little unsure,’ explains Steph. ‘We weren’t sure if we would even get 25 to 30 people. That’s what we were aiming for. In the end we had a total of 57! We’ve set a limit of 60 delegates this year because 57 worked perfectly.’ After the resounding success, MACA is hosting another day of singing, dancing and drama, this year on 4 May. Just like last year, young people will have the opportunity to take part in all three disciplines involved in musical theatre. The fact that everyone gets to take part in everything is a key part of the day. Steph says: ‘We got a lot of feedback last year, and a lot of the young people said they enjoyed the fact that they didn’t have to pick just one. If you go to summer school you often have to pick a single subject. But in musical theatre it’s called a triple threat because all three disciplines are of equal importance.’ This year’s featured musical is Booth,
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Salvationist 13 April 2019
written in 2000 by Graham Lamplough and Major Richard Mingay (Regent Hall). ‘My initial instinct was to go for another Gowans and Larsson musical,’ explains Steph. ‘But I thought it was important to shake it up a little. I think it’s really important to show that there are other Army musicals out there and that the two Johns actually inspired other people to write. ‘Booth highlights the ideas of human trafficking and The Salvation Army’s campaign to raise the age of consent, which are so topical at the moment. But it also brings to light the relationship between William and Catherine. It has the historical facts but also a lot of comedy and light-heartedness. It’s a well-rounded show.’ The inspiration for Booth came from a desire to write an inspirational, but relatable, history of The Salvation Army. ‘It captures the enthusiasm of all those early officers,’ Richard enthuses. ‘Booth himself was only 36 years old at the time of starting the Christian Mission. We think of him as this old guy in his eighties with his great long white beard, but he was young, really energetic and fit. ‘We also tried to capture the darkness and evil that was about, and Booth’s early, primitive, Salvationist theology of soup, soap and salvation. It was all about getting men and women out of the darkness of sin and into the colour of salvation.’ The young people will also have the opportunity to perform a variety of songs from contemporary musicals led by specialist teachers in singing, dancing and drama, culminating in a concert at the end of the day.
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It captures the enthusiasm of all those early officers
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‘It’s a massive day,’ Steph says. ‘It starts at 9 am for registration and the concert finishes by 9 pm, so it’s shattering but well worth it. Last year everybody enjoyed it so much. And what was really nice was the fact that most people came on their own from corps. They didn’t come in big groups so they made lots of new friends. ‘I remember that MACA director Stephen Cobb noted that, out of the 57 children who attended, he knew only a few of them. So about 50 kids were new to MACA; they didn’t go to TYB or TYC and they haven’t gone to any of the other events that we run. Now they have found something within MACA that they enjoy. It was a no-brainer to do the day again. ‘One of the aims of Musical Theatre Day is to give the children an opportunity to meet up with friends they made last year. We want to rekindle friendships and encourage new ones. We hope that the young people will look forward to going and having a good time together.’ Musical Theatre Day takes place on 4 May at Regent Hall. Download an application form by visiting salvationarmy.org.uk/mmu-events
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For more information about music and creative arts events and activities contact MACA at music@salvationarmy. org.uk or contact your Regional Specialist for Music and Creative Arts
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