Local amateur dramatics group, Exit Stage Left’s youth section haven’t done a full length musical for many years, as they have been fundraising for new radio mics, a target they hope to achieve this weekend with their new show, 13: The Musical.
After a fundraising show at the Rondo Theatre, Bath, last autumn, where the youngsters performed songs from the Broadway hit, 13: The Musical, they begged their director to allow them to perform the whole show. They are now hoping to use the show as their next fundraiser, performing this weekend, at Writhlington School’s Dragonfly Theatre, on Saturday, 17th and Sunday, 18th September for the first time. As the venue is a lot bigger than the group are used to, they are hoping that it will sell well and they will be another step closer to buying their mics.
13: The Musical is a hugely successful musical in America, but it hasn’t been performed much in the UK. It is the story of Evan Goldman, who, when his parents get
divorced, is forced to move from New York to a small town in Indiana. He just wants to make friends and survive the school year – easier said than done. With an unforgettable rock score from Tony Award-winning composer, Jason Robert Brown, 13 is a hilarious, high-energy musical for all ages about discovering that cool is where you find it and sometimes where you least expect it.
Alison McCausland is the director of Exit Stage Left. She set up the group after the group she loved appearing with folded. Her intention was to set up a theatre group that gave everyone a chance to shine, no matter what their ability, helping everyone
develop as much as they could. Most importantly, she wanted it to be fun and hoped that these youngsters would socialise outside the drama scene and become lifelong friends. This has certainly been the case. In fact, the group have their first Exit Stage Left wedding this year. James Sellick (who is doing the sound for 13) and Jessica Withers got together ten years ago this week, when ESL performed Grease.
Exit Stage Left’s adult section, who fund their own shows, have been equally as successful, having just received two Rose Bowl nominations for their recent production of Dogfight. More than half the cast were members of ESL when they were children. Hannah Long, who has been in the group since she was just ten-years-old, also received a nomination for ‘Best Actress’ for her stunning portrayal of Rose Fenny.
To support the Youth Section and help them achieve their target for radio mics, visit: www.ticketsource.co.uk/exitstageleft for their performance of 13: The Musical.