West End star Kerry Ellis will perform on stage alongside local schoolchildren.
The Wannabe West End starlets will perform alongside The Real Deal at a workshop in Stafford led by the principal lady of musical theater, Kerry Ellis.
The internationally renowned singer and actress will spend a day at the Stafford Grammar School to share her experiences and mentor young people from across the region, before sharing the stage with them at a gala performance.
Best known for her lead roles in London and Broadway, Kerry is also a solo artist and has a long-term working relationship with guitarist for rock band Queen, Brian May. The pair will be back on the road this fall and their scheduled visit to Staffordshire in November follows their last tour.
Kerry, 42, said: “Over the past year and a half I have loved working with and meeting young creatives, it has been a real lifeline for me. I was so inspired by the talent that is out there and now being able to finally be in a room with young singers and hear them in person will be amazing. I can’t wait to see and play with the students at Stafford Grammar School and see what we can create together.
Kerry played Elphaba in the West End and Broadway productions of Wicked, with leading roles such as Fantine in Les Misérables, Ellen in Miss Saigon, Nancy in Oliver and Meat in the original London hit We Will Rock You. It entertained audiences across the world, including a concert in a 12,000-seat arena in Verona which was televised throughout Italy.
Eager to share their luck, SGS will invite singers from nearby schools to join in the activities, which will include an evening concert.
Gavin Lamplough, Music Director of SGS, said: “This will be a great opportunity to rub shoulders with the best in the musical theater industry. There will be a live orchestra, just like a pit orchestra in a theater. Kerry will be playing solos and I will do an interview with her on stage which will be like a conversation in a chair in front of the audience to learn a little more about her, her schedule, her experiences and her plans for the future.
“There will be a large children’s choir from our school and other schools – just like a musical theater choir.
“It will be a very special occasion. We rarely get to hear and see an international star performing for us. I hope locals take the opportunity to listen to Kerry on their doorstep. It’s very exciting.”
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