West-End directors to lead workshop in musical theatre

Masquerade Theatre Arts School will be holding a 10-day summer musical theatre workshop led by musical director Phil Bateman and choreographer Lizzi Gee, who both work in London’s West End.

Masquerade Summer Experience 2011 will give students of all ages and abilities an opportunity to explore musical theatre.

The workshops will take place from July 18 to 30 at the Drama Centre, Blata l-Bajda. They are open to adults and children over eight years old.

Bateman is a musical director and vocal coach who is currently working on She Loves Me at Chichester Festival Theatre. He will soon start his next project as musical supervisor on Bridget Jones the Musical, with songs by Lily Allen, due to open next spring in the West End.

In 2009, Bateman was musical director for Regents Park Open Air Theatre’s production of Hello Dolly. Among many successful productions, he worked as musical director on the hit show Billy Elliot – The Musical by Lee Hall and Elton John, which won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2005.

Gee also has an impressive portfolio of experience and is currently movement director on Rocket to the Moon (National Theatre), choreographer on Vernon God Little (Young Vic Theatre), and choreographer for Buddy (National Tour). Other productions she has choreographed include Goodnight Mr Tom (Chichester/Fiery Angel Tour), Million Dollar Quartet (Noel Coward Theatre) and Love Story at the Duchess Theatre.

On television, Gee’s choreography credits include a sequence for the 2009 Children’s Bafta Awards, The Legend of Dick and Dom, ITV’s The Feel Good Factor and a CBBC series called The Big Performance.

Gee was also on-screen dance coach on Channel 4’s Fit Farm and she has choreographed for the TMA Awards, Musical Stages Magazine’s 10th anniversary concert.

This is an intensive musical theatre course which aims to develop performers’ skills. Students will participate in workshops and work on musicals including Our House and The Wiz, while focusing on performance techniques, song and role preparation, and visual and vocal expression.

Musical theatre requires people with strong skills in singing, acting and dancing, as well as the ability to combine these core skills convincingly.

This workshop aims to introduce participants to this form of performance and to encourage training in all three disciplines and the integration of all these skills.

Places are limited and booking in advance is necessary.

Call Masquerade Theatre Arts School on 7979 3737 or e-mail info@masquerademalta.com.

Full details can be found on www.masquerademalta.com.