THE dale was alive with the sound of musical theatre when youngsters took part in Teesdale Operatic Society’s youth section (TOYS) summer school at TCR Hub, Barnard Castle.
It is the second year the award-winning musical theatre group has organised the four-day school and organisers were delighted with the response.
Dawn Trevor, chairwoman of the society, said: “We’ve got 33 kids in total and that’s the most we have had. It is a 50 /50 split of kids we have not had before and those who have been part of TOYS.”
During the four-day school youngsters took part in a variety of workshops including learning dance routines from well-known musicals Annie and Grease, medleys, solos, acting and mime, as well as working on group renditions from other shows such as The Greatest Showman. The week culminated in a showcase.
TOS was launched in late 2019 and has gone from strength to strength, staging multiple productions and concerts to great acclaim.
Last year the group won no fewer than five awards from the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) including district awards for best musical and best youth production.
This year, TOS has received four nominations in the NODA North Awards which will be held on October 7. School of Rock is up for best musical, A West End Walk for best concert, Lizzy Rose for best individual for her portrayal of Audrey, in Little Shop of Horrors, and 14-year-old Freya Shepherd Pegman is up for best junior individual for her portrayal of Summer in School of Rock.
The group has big plans for the future and is currently in the process of appointing their next musical director, a position currently filled by Barnard Castle School’s music director, Richard Dawson.
Ms Trevor said: “Richard never meant to be the musical director because he is so busy at the school, but he has been fantastic in the role. He will still be involved and we have had a lot of interest, but musical directors are like gold dust.”
Last year Mr Dawson completed a 24-hour music marathon to raise funds for a TOS bursary scheme.
Mrs Trevor added: “I have always believed that finance should not be a barrier to the arts. What is really nice is we have had one child use the funding raised by Richard to attend the summer school.
“We haven’t decided what we will be doing next and we do need sponsorship backing.
“Stonebridge Homes have been great and they gave us a grant of £500 that went towards School of Rock costs but we are always looking for backing from local businesses. Shows don’t go on without funding.
“We are really excited though, as come September we are launching our TOYS Musical Theatre School which will be happening Monday evenings during term time.”
For information on TOS see teesdaleoperaticsociety.co.uk.
