BSPA STRIPPED BACK: The Les Misérables Sessions
As Ireland’s leading theatre school prepares to put on Les Misérables Schools Edition in what promises to be the most exciting summer youth project to date, the talented creative team have put together a series of ‘Stripped Back Sessions’ featuring some of the cast performing the iconic songs from the show. This collection of raw and emotional performances really showcases the exceptional talent from across Ireland who will taking part in the show this summer during what is the musical’s 30th anniversary year.
BSPA Stripped Back launches with a stunning rendition of ‘I Dreamed a Dream’ by Naomi Smyth aged 19 from Portaferry, supported on piano by Wilson Shields, the show’s Musical Director. Naomi was chosen from hundreds of hopefuls from all across Ireland after a vigorous audition process and will be playing the role of ‘Fantine’.
Naomi, grew up in Portaferry and went to school in Downpatrick she is currently taking a year out and working on a number of musicals in Belfast before applying to one of the big theatre schools next year. This talented young lady is no stranger to the stage, and took on her first stage role at the tender age of just five years old. Naomi has performed in numerous roles across Northern Ireland and has taken on varied characters including Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, Miss Bell in Fame, Eva Peron in Evita, Miss Hannigan in Annie and both Oliver and Nancy in Oliver, she is excited about the show and is looking forward to taking such a challenging role;
“I love the whole buzz of the stage, from the lights, the music and the dancing, its an incredible experience and having worked with James Huish in the past I’m really excited about this summer’s show, the experience will be challenging and I’m sure sometimes overwhelming as we have will be rehearsing such an intense show in just two short weeks, but that is part of the appeal, to take something on that is challenging and that will push us to our limits. Les Miserables is one of my all time favourite productions and the part of Fantine has always been on my wish list, I can’t wait to bring this tragic Heroine to life and to work alongside what I expect be an extremely talented group of young people. ”
James Huish, BSPA’s founder and Artistic Director is delighted with the results;
“We are beyond excited about what lies ahead during the summer months and our incredible cast and team will undoubtedly put on a show that will shake our audiences to their very core. We think these Stripped Back Session’s really allow our cast to shine and showcase the incredible talent at BSPA. The show is set to be amazing and we are all very excited for what will be an intense rehearsal period culminating in 10 shows at Belfast’s iconic Grand Opera which we expect to really raise the roof.
Naomi will be joined by a cast of 80 students in this production of Les Misérables Schools Edition, which will be performed entirely by BSPA students aged 16-19 at the Grand Opera House, Belfast 19th – 27th August. Tickets available now at www.goh.co.uk
The Belfast School of Performing Arts offers weekly Saturday classes during term time for students aged just 3-18 interested in learning the arts of dancing, acting and singing. Schools are held in four locations across Northern Ireland; Belfast, Bangor, Ballymena and Lisburn. For further information on Belfast School of Performing Arts or to sign your child up for the coming year please visit www.thebspa.co.uk
Les Misérables Sessions featuring some of the cast performing the iconic songs https://t.co/LWsv48oDOQ @thebspa_ukhttps://t.co/v50e3Q6j70
— Love Belfast ❤️ (@love_belfast) June 27, 2016
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