SHOWCASE!

Musical theatre is an industry which may not appeal to just everyone, including myself. It is a very different take on the music scene around Glasgow but is one that still exists in its own right. Every year the graduating third years of Glasgow Academy of Musical Theatre Arts (GAMTA ) create a captivating performance showcasing their musical and acting abilities. This year was no exception.

Years of gruelling dance and voice training have been leading up to this moment which is the be all and end all of their careers. I almost feel like a part of 'Showcase' as much as the eleven third years do as one of my best friends, Lindsey Barr, was graduating this year. The word 'SHOWCASE' has been drilled into my brain over the past few years and even I can't believe it's over. Endless stressing over leotards, hair extensions, music, gym classes and salads, no drinking or smoking for weeks on end and mini breakdowns around the clock for my best friend have all been leading up to this one hour and fifteen minute show which determines whether or not she will get an agent and ultimately fufil her lifelong dream.

Having never seen Lindsey or her fellow third years perform before, I had no idea what to expect and little did I know what I was letting myself in for. I'm not going to lie, 'Graduate Showcase 2012' quite literally blew me away. The opening of 'It don't mean a thing' from 'swing!' showed the audience what the graduates were capable of, looking at ease with the choreography and remaining positive at the same time. Each performance effortlessly rolled into the next and it is clear the graduates designed the pieces themselves. Be it a sketch named 'Cock', solo performance or group performance, each was delivered with ease and showed no signs of nerves whatsoever. Lindsey's performance of 'How did we come to this?' from 'The Wild Party' reduced me to tears but I will never tell her that! Personally I have no idea what she was worried about, her perforance was flawless. But I suppose I am a little biased.

After performing two shows in Glasgow, 'Graduate Showcase 2012' was on the road to London to perform infront of various agents and important people in the musical theatre industry. That is where the real stressing out began I'm sure. According to the review on  'The Stage' website, they also did very well:  .

I am very proud of my best friend as she has had interest from an agent in London, already has a few auditions lined up and is hoping to have moved to London by the end of the summer. The years of training finally paid off and I've got to admit that musical theatre is an industry which is now appealing to myself, and I never thought it would.

                                                       (Lindsey is second from the left!)