Classic musical at The Braid

BALLYMENA’S Braid Theatre is set to be transformed into ‘the Windy City’ as 35 kids from local Theatre Company, BSPA, prepare for the performance of their lives as they present ‘Calamity Jane’ on June 22 and 23.

Calamity Jane was recently voted one of the top musicals of all time and little wonder as it’s packed back to back with one classic hit after another!

The Wild West tale tells the story of the rocky love affair between tomboy Calamity Jane, played by local girl Hayley McCormick from Kells, and the Handsome Wild Bill Hickok, played by local lad Sean Lewis from Randalstown, all interwoven with fantastic singing, dancing and acting from the children of BSPA – The cast ranges from aged just six years to 18 years old and this is the Ballymena School’s first big stage production.

Artistic Director, James Huish is excited about the performance.

He says: “This performance is really going to raise the roof – not only is it such a well known and loved musical, but it is performed with such vitality that I am confident this will be extremely enjoyable to watch. We have a fantastic production team of Director – Pamela Todd, Musical Director, Colin Scott and Choreographer, Jennifer Milligan and they have had a ball being involved with all the kids during rehearsals.

“I know they have loved every minute of it - I think this will really shine through during the performance. We’re hoping that not only family and friends but the people of Ballymena will come along and show their support and enjoy a fabulous performance by all these local children.”

BSPA (Belfast School of Performing Arts) has four theatre schools across the country, Ballymena, Crumlin, Omagh and Belfast where children are invited to take part in big scale productions such as Calamity Jane, The Wiz, Dream a little Dream to name just a few.

The ethos behind the school is to make quality musical theatre more accessible to the young people of Northern Ireland and each school benefits from the finest teachers – all with incredible theatrical cv’s – To find out how to join BSPA please visit www.thebspa.co.uk or email [email protected] or ‘like’ us on www.facebook.com/thebspa

Calamity Jane will be performed at The Braid on June 23 at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Tickets are priced at £14 and £12 for concessions.

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