Life at The Little Theatre column: Getting closer to the stage

Read the latest updates from Southport's Little Theatre.

Life at The Little Theatre column: Getting closer to the stage

SDC Youth Theatre in their final show before lockdown - Swallows and Amazons (Picture: courtesy of SDC)

By Jennifer Corcoran and Andrew Sloman

It was just over a year ago, March 14 2020 to be precise, that the final applause echoed round the Little Theatre auditorium for the last night of the beautifully realised SDC Youth Theatre production of Swallows and Amazons.

It is apt then that, should all go well, it will be our impressive young performers who once again bring their talent and energy to our stage as we reopen to the public.

Fame, The Musical is based on Alan Parker’s 1980 film and subsequent long running TV series. First performed a year after the TV show finished, in 1988, it was conceived and developed by David De Silva with a script by José Fernandez, music by Steve Margoshes and lyrics by Jacques Levy.

Set in New York City’s High School for Performing Arts it focuses on a diverse group of students striving to make it big in the world of showbiz. It follows them from their first audition through the hard work, sweat, tears and dramas of their journey through the school year.

It is a show about overcoming challenges, packed full of big musical numbers, but also showing the vulnerabilities, risks and humanity in the stories of those trying to reach for the stars.

It is certainly an ambitious spectacle to stage, but one our young stars, who have proved themselves time and time again with some amazing productions, will make fly high. To borrow from some of the song titles – you can’t keep them down, they want to make magic for you!

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Fame, The Musical is set to open to the public at Southport Little Theatre on Tuesday 24th August. Of course, if this past year has taught us nothing else, it is that there is always uncertainty, safety is paramount and things can change. Our theatre committees have been meeting throughout this last year to prepare for every eventuality; we will have whatever measures we need in place to keep our audiences safe.

Over the next weeks we will release more details, including where and how you can get hold of what will be some of the hottest tickets in town. We’ll also confirm our plans for our 2021/22 season of plays. Fingers crossed, live theatre is coming back to the Little very soon. As they sing in the penultimate number of the show – Bring on Tomorrow!

SDC Youth Theatre actors in the 2019 production of Chicago (Picture: courtesy of SDC)

To share your memories, keep up to date with news and plans for the Little Theatre and find out the latest information on when we may be able to open, go to our website.

You can follow us on Facebook or go to Instagram. You can also see some special lockdown performances and a virtual theatre tour on our new YouTube Channel – search for Southport Little Theatre.

The Little Theatre is at Hoghton Street, Southport, Merseyside