Key Projects

42nd Street - Empire Theatre Company - WOW!!!

By Flicky Harrison 42nd Street Wyvern Theatre Thursday, February 21 to Saturday, February 23 at 7.30pm and 2.30pm matinee on Saturday. Tickets from £9.50 to £12 Box office 01793 524481. professional West End dancer Graeme Henderson dropped into a Swindon theatre company to give his namesake, 16-year-old Keith Graeme Henderson, some tips. The two Hendersons worked on some routines for the show 42nd Street which is being presented this month by The Empire Theatre Company at the Wyvern Theatre. Choreographer Pollyann Tanner from Lydiard Millicent is behind the new venture which has been running since December. "Our plan for the Empire Theatre Company is to bring professionals such as Graeme down to give workshops for our dancers. They will get real experience of professional theatre,'' said the Old Town dance teacher. "We are a separate theatre company, nothing to do with any dance or drama schools in Swindon and we have dancers, actors and singers from all over Swindon and as far away as Coventry,'' said Pollyann. "We aim to put on about three shows a year.'' Graeme played Billy in the original cast of 42nd Street opposite Catherine Zeta Jones, who was coached by Pollyann's mother Mollie Tanner. Then in the touring production he played Andy Lee - the same part as Keith is taking in the Swindon version. The professional dancer went to the United States to learn about American choreography for his recent production of 42nd Street, starring Paul Nicholas. When he came to Swindon he gave away a few of the secrets he learned in the USA to the dancers. Graeme also took time out to put Melissa Wicks, 20, Pollyann's daughter, through her paces, as she is taking the part of Peggy Sawyer. He also had a run through of a few dances with the whole company. "It was a really great workshop with the two Hendersons,'' said Pollyann. It was thanks to an old boyfriend of Pollyann's, Allan Forrester, that the masterclass came about. "Allan is currently in Billy Elliot with one of our dancers, Stephanie Firth, so he got in touch with Graeme for us,'' said Pollyann.

West Side Story by Empire Theatre Company April - 2009

West Side Story is one of my all time favourite musicals. It is also, in my opinion, one of the most difficult to cast and stage The music, too, is incredibly difficult, although we all know and love many of the songs from it. In this case I had no worries about the orchestra, if at times they were a little too loud for these young voices. That said, I can’t help but admire these young people for their enthusiasm. I wish to congratulate director, Pollyann Tanner, for staging this whole show in about six weeks. Melissa Wicks was charming as Maria. She kept her accent throughout, even when singing - something a lot of older players should take notice of. Her voice was sweet and tuneful. In the final scene especially, her acting ability held me spellbound. Steven Coleman did well as Tony. However, like a lot of these youngsters, his voice lacked the power I feel this show needs. But that’s just my opinion. Bernardo, the leader of the Sharks, was played admirably by Luke Browne, who is a 2nd year student at Bird College. I have to say that I couldn’t take my eyes off him when he was on stage. His characterisation, every move and gesture, was well played. I remember when I was producing South Pacific he played the young boy. He was determined even then. Keith Henderson as Riff performed very well and also showed what training at theatre school can do for you. He too is studying musical theatre at Bird College. There were a great many good performances from these young people, some of whom are still at school studying drama, dance and singing. Charlotte Johnson was made for the part of Anita. All in all, this was a great night out for the musical theatre aficionados of Swindon. This was a big show to perform and produce. It needs lots of energy from the chorus and good singing and acting abilities from the company leads. I think they made a good job of it, as I’m sure did many others in the audience. I look forward to Empire Theatre’s next production. - Ros Hollands

Showcase Production - 2009

More to come x

The Lion , the Witch & the Wardrobe - XMAS 2009

More to come x

Boogie Nights - Easter 2012

Boogie Nights, the 70’s musical was brought to the Wyvern theatre last week by the Empire Theatre Company under the guidance of director, choreographer, Pollyann Tanner. This group of young people with ages ranging from 13 to 35 showed what it is to be young, talented and above all enthusiastic about their musical theatre arts. From the minute the lights went down they performed their socks off. The story is a typical boy meets girl with an unusual ending and wonderful songs from the seventies thrown in at every turn. Written by Jon Conway with script associates Shane Richie and Terry Morrison it is a tale that makes you wonder if it is at all biographical in places. Indeed my daughter mentioned at the end that leading man Dean Kline reminded her of a holiday rep. Shane Richies old occupation. Dean did well with the characterisation of his role as did all the leading players in this production. Laura Cotes sang her heart out during ‘I Will Survive,’ nearly bringing the house down. These 70’s numbers are not easy to sing. At times notes or song entrances were sketchy. However, with a good band on stage the audience’s feet were tapping, hands clapping and voices singing along. They loved it. Costumes were good as was an excellent lighting plot and scenery. Pollyann and her team are to be congratulated on a job well done in such a short time frame. Her cast get ten out of ten for enthusiasm and energetic dance routines. If you can get the audience on their feet during a finale I think you may just have succeeded in your task. This was a feel good factor show enjoyed by audience and cast alike. Ros Holland. Swindon Advertiser.

West End Open Workshops

WOW - Westendopen Workshops.. - We invite you all! ISIS STUDIOS : SWINDON West End OPEN Workshops ‘WOW’ are a unique and exclusive series of specialist workshops created in partnership with leading West End performers…to bring you some Awesome coaching…. Looking for something different? Keep up to date with our NEW FACEBOOK PAGE….??? May 27 th – Tim Noble. (See artwork attached) Comes to Swindon this May bringing his ‘WORLD CLASS DANCE WORKSHOPS’ aimed at giving YOU that EXTRA INJECTION of ENERGY and INSPIRATION!! Tim and his team of World Class dancers and choreographers from KYLIE, MADONNA, GIRLS ALOUD, BRITNEY, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE and LONDON’S WEST END will lift your PERFORMANCE to a higher level… ACCELERATE your chance … Give yourself an EDGE … PREPARE TO BE INSPIRED… BOOK EARLY… THIS WILL SELL OUT!!!! June 24 th – Rossanna Sloccino. WestEnd Dance A fabulous DANCER who has wowed crowds on X FACTOR, ANY DREAM WILL DO, I’D DO ANYTHING , OVER THE RAINBOW and many other televised concerts…..her passion, ability and experience will give you something to kick-start your Summer …!!! July 29 th – Lia Given. West Side Story Workshop A fab star who knows the team well… we are very blessed to have her this Summer …. Lia has been on WORLD and UK tours of WEST Side Story… We Will Rock You and several other WEST END SHOWS… She brings a wealth of experience and is gunna WOW us with her talent… We have Matt Flint, Lee Mead and Jodie Prenger coming this Summer.... Keep updated on our FACEBOOK... www.facebook.com/westendopenworkshops *********************************************** Location:- ISIS Studios. Unit 1 , Stratton Rd, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN1 2PG Booking :- Dave @ Crunch Media Mail :- dave@crunchmedia.co.uk / 07971044908 Mail : - empiretheatrecompany.co.uk / 07775991700 Times & Prices :- 10am – 12pm :- Juniors £20 1pm – 4pm :- Seniors (13+) £30 Fees payable upfront to book space … We cannot guarantee space on the day! Book Early. WYVERN SYP - £5 discount!!