Theatre calls on'¨young talent to raise the Roof

It's one of the highlights of the year for our talented youngsters and the road to this year's Rugby Theatre summer project starts on Sunday.
Ashley Nottingham NNL-160329-134640001Ashley Nottingham NNL-160329-134640001
Ashley Nottingham NNL-160329-134640001

Hundreds of young people aged from 10 to 21 are expected to flock to Central Hall, opposite the theatre in Henry Street, for the auditions, which start at 1.30pm.

After two years of modern musicals this year sees a return to a classic with one of the most popular and best-loved of them all – Fiddler on the Roof.

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The project is now in its 20th year and takes place over two weeks at the beginning of the school holidays, July 23 to August 7, giving some 100 youngsters chance to learn various theatre crafts as they put the whole show together in just two weeks.

Professional director and drama coach Janet Devenish is back for her 16th project and is joined by former Rugby Theatre performer Ashley Nottingham as choreographer.

Ashley grew up in Coventry and performed the lead role in Half a Sixpence at RT in 2001.

He has just provided musical staging for the current UK tour of End Of The Rainbow, starring Lisa Maxwell, Gary Wilmot and Sam Attwater.

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He is also a choreographer at Pineapple Dance Studios in London.

They will be supported by a host of experienced RT members.

Project co-ordinator Phil Kettle said: “Every year we are blown away with the talent that emerges from Rugby and the surrounding towns.

“There are always new faces coming along and we have to make difficult decisions as to who to cast, but we try and find a role for everyone.

“We are delighted to welcome back Ashley who has gone on from our project to become a dance professional.”

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As well as those who wish to perform on stage, there is also an opportunity for any technical students who would like to work in stage management and design, lighting, props or sound to gain experience in those areas. Their audition time is 3pm.

For the performers, auditions are 1.30pm for ages 10-13; 3.30pm for 14-17 and 5.30pm for 18-21. Recalls will be on April 17 at 11am. For more details, see the auditionpage at www.rugbytheatre.co.uk