The 48-Hour Musical Charity Challenge is in aid of Rainbows Children’s Hospice.  The event is the brainchild of a group of dedicated local amateur performers who will be raising money for Rainbows by mounting and staging a musical over just one weekend, ending in a performance at Loughborough Town Hall - all without any previous rehearsals!

Michael Gamble, who performs and choreographs with Christchurch Theatre Company and is one of the team behind the event, explains; “This challenge is a format that has taken place in various cities across the UK, and with the wealth of talent we have in Loughborough, we thought it would be a great project for our local performers and at the same time raise money for Rainbows”. 

“We have a great production team in place” says Michael, “with members from all the local amateur companies. We have chosen the award-winning musical La Cage aux Folles to perform. The scenery and costumes have already been booked, the lighting has been designed, and a 20-piece orchestra, who are all donating their time for this great cause, are raring to go."

La Cage aux Folles

Music and lyrics by Jerry Herman and book by Harvey Fierstein.
The original 1983 Broadway production received nine nominations for Tony Awards and won six, including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. The success of the musical spawned a West End production and several international runs. In 2004 a successful Broadway revival won the Tony Award for Best Revival.

The show is charming and uproariously funny. Georges and his lover Albin, who stars as Zaza at their St. Tropez drag nightclub, "La Cage aux Folles," have lived happily together for many years. Albin is the club's star female impersonator while Georges is the club's Master of Ceremonies.

Problems arise when Georges' son, Jean-Michel, a result from a brief encounter years back, announces that he is engaged to Anne Dindon. Anne is the daughter of a well-known homophobic politician, Edouard Dindon. Anne's parents want to come and meet Jean-Michel's mother and father. Little do they know that Albin, a man, has essentially been Jean-Michel's mother figure his whole life.

Jean-Michel wants to keep Albin away from the Dindons but Albin is hurt and insists on making an appearance. What could possibly go wrong.....!!

The team behind the charity challenge include Vicki Hing, Musical Director for Christchurch Theatre Club; Carl Brierley-Edwards, who performs and choreographs for The Esna Players; Julie Easter, who has performed with Christchurch Theatre Club, The Esna Players, Greasepaint Productions and Loughborough Amateur Operatic Society (LAOS), as well as running Starlight Theatre Company; and Nicola Speight, who is a director of LAOS and performs with LAOS and The Esna Players.

Proceeds from the performance will be donated to Rainbows Children’s Hospice. Founded in 1994, Rainbows is the East Midlands’ only hospice for children and young people, offering a place where life-limited children and their families can find care and support.

Cast Auditions

Auditions will take place on Tuesday 4th June from 6:30pm at Loughborough Town Hall. Those auditioning are asked to bring a backing track for a song of their choice to perform to the production team.
A list of casting requirements is available Audition Information (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb) and further information for registering for the auditions can be downloaded Audition Application Form (PDF Document, 0.1 Mb). 
Cast members will receive scripts and sheet music 8 weeks in advance of the 48 hours rehearsal period, so that they can learn lines and songs independently.
 

Sponsorship Opportunities

Town Hall Manager Nigel Strong is hoping that local businesses can also lend their help to the event.   “Loughborough Town Hall is supporting the event and working to keep costs to a minimum, with staff donating their time for free to make sure that as much money as possible from the ticket sales goes to Rainbows. However, there are a number of supporting services required to ensure that the weekend is a success.  If your company can help and would like to be involved, please contact me at the Town Hall for more information.”