STAGE TUBE: Kerry Ellis Shows Support for Summer Youth Project

On Sunday 11 August, the Wyvern Theatre began its 19th Summer Youth Project. This year the local young talent, aged 9-21, will present Our House - The Madness Musical. Tasha Hyde, 17, has been preparing for the show with the support of a Musical Theatre legend. On Saturday 10 August, Tasha attending Bath Academy of Musical Theatre's masterclass with Kerry Ellis.

"She taught me plenty about how to ground myself when singing higher notes and to practice this by pushing against a wall, or my stomach, before the note," said Tasha from Chippenham. "And to do research on any role, may it be little or large - she said you should always give yourself character in anything you do!"

Kerry Ellis has fast become recognized as the First Lady of West End musicals from her starring roles in London and on Broadway, she has also achieved chart-topping success as a recording artist signed to Universal Decca with her debut album Anthems.

Kerry originated the role of Meat, in Queen's We Will Rock You, and was the first British Elphaba in the West End smash, Wicked, for which Kerry won the 2008 Whatsonstage.com Award for 'Best Takeover in a Role'. She then immediately transferred to Broadway and played Elphaba at the Gershwin Theater for 6 months, where she won the Broadway.com Audience Award for Favourite Female Breakthrough Performance, before returning to London for 6 months in 2009. Her many other leading role credits include Nancy in Oliver! at the London Palladium, Eliza Doolittle My Fair Lady, Ellen in Miss Saigon and Fantine in Les Miserables. Recently she has been involved in the Les Miserables feature film alongside headlining various festivals across the country, the Arena tour of Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds, and her amazing solo show at the London Palladium.

After the masterclass, Kerry recorded a short message for all the participants of the Wyvern Theatre's 2013 Summer Youth Project. The two week project culminates in five performances of a full-scale musical under the supervision of a highly skilled creative team including a professional Director, Choreographer, Musical Director, Musicians and Technical team all in less than 2 weeks!

Our House - The Madness Musical will run at the Wyvern Theatre, Swindon, from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 August 2013. Book tickets today at wyverntheatre.org.uk or by calling the Ticket Office on 01793 524 481.

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