STAR

23rd to 25th November 2000, at the Coronation Hall, Compton (10 miles north of Newbury).

STAR follows the fortunes of a group of five aspiring music and drama students through audition, performance, success, romance, despair and finally achievement of their chosen showbiz careers. See below for the full story (written in October 2000).

Here's the cast.

This is the writeup from the NWN

Star debut by young playwright A year 11 pupil at The Downs School, Compton, has written a new musical play, 'ST*R', which was performed by the Under The Spotlight drama company at The Coronation Hall, Compton last weekend. 'ST*R', which 15-year-old playwright Sam Hall admits was inspired by the musical 'Fame', follows the fortunes of a group of five aspiring music and drama students through audition, performance, success, romance, despair and achievement. Featuring clips of current chart hits, along with new songs written and performed by the cast, 'ST*R shows how relationships can develop and fall apart in the gritty world of stage and music. Glamour, greed, envy, jealousy, revenge and reconciliation are interwoven in this fast-moving tale of how hard work must be combined with talent and sheer determination in order to succeed in showbusiness. Sam enrolled four fellow 15-year-olds into the show - actress Suzi Prince from the Lisa Harrington School of Drama, musician Peter Brand who also studies with Lisa Harrington, singer Craig Wheeler, and choreographer Sally Atkinson from West Berkshire Youth Dance. Sam says: "I've been involved in the acting side of drama since I was about eight, with many different shows and drama groups. "Recently, I've started thinking how good it would be to direct. I looked through some scripts, couldn't find anything I liked, so 1 decided to write a play of my own. "I had decided to write about a drama school because 1 thought it would be bright and happy, give us lots of fun, but with a bit of mean stuff in there as well. "I got in touch with the chairman of Compton Players, and within a few days, not only had we got permission to use the village hall, the lights and the sound system, but also a ready-made set and the full publicity set-up. "Everyone we met went out of their way to help and suggest ways we could make the production more effective and more professional." All profits from the show, which was supported by the Compton Players, went to BBC Children In Need. CATRIONA REEVES

The Background

15 year-old Sam Hall, a year 11 student at the Downs School, Compton, has written a new musical play which will be performed by "Under the Spotlight", a cast of her contemporaries, at the Coronation Hall, Compton, in the Berkshire Downs.

Sam willingly admits her inspiration came from the musical "Fame". STAR follows the fortunes of a group of five aspiring music and drama students through audition, performance, success, romance, despair and finally achievement of their chosen showbiz careers.

Featuring clips from many current chart hits, together with new songs written and performed live by the cast, STAR shows how relationships can develop and fall apart in the gritty world of stage and music.

Glamour, romance, greed, envy, jealousy, revenge and reconciliation are cleverly interwoven in this fast-moving up-to-the-minute tale of how hard work must be combined with talent and the sheer determination in order to succeed in the heady world of show business.

STAR is entirely the brain-child of Sam Hall, who has combined her talents as a writer with those of four of her contemporaries - Suzi the actress, Peter the musician, Craig the singer and Sally the choreographer to produce a mini-musical embodying all the elements of a traditional West End show.

Although ticket prices were set at a level intended purely to cover the costs of production, demand has been so high in advance of the performance dates, that the cast has agreed that all profits will go to this year's BBC Children In Need appeal.

The Author, Sam Hall, says:

I've been involved in the acting side of drama since I was about eight, with many different shows and drama groups.

Recently, I've started thinking how good it would be to direct. I looked through some scripts on the Internet, couldn't find anything I liked, so I decided to write a play of my own.

In May, I'd just come home from performing in the Edinburgh Festival and had lots of ideas from the brilliant shows I'd seen, and I got to talking to some of the people in my drama group to see what they thought of the idea, and if they wanted to be in the cast.

They all seemed very keen, and Peter, Suzy and Craig helped me when I got down to writing the script.

I had decided to write about a Drama School called 'Young Stars', because I thought it would be bright and happy, give us lots of fun, but with a bit of mean stuff in there as well.

We then had to find somewhere to perform, and I looked at several possible village and school halls. One of my friends at school suggested the Coronation Hall at Compton, where she had recently been in a play. I got in touch with Robin Mackness, the Chairman of Compton Players, to see if we could use the Hall, and if they could lend possibly lend us some lights. Within a few days, not only had we got permission to use the village hall, the lights and the sound system, but also a ready-made set and the full publicity set-up. Everyone we met went out of their way to help and suggest ways we could make the production more effective and more professional.

The Cast

Suzi Prince (Imogen)

Suzi is 16, and her ambition is to act in TV plays and ultimately with the Royal Shakespeare Company. At the moment she is studying Theatre Arts in her sixth form, and is producing a play at her school.
Suzi is in her eighth year at the Lisa Harrington School of Drama, where she has passed many New Era exams with distinction, and is currently working towards her Silver Medal.
She has been in shows at the Hungerford Festival, in Street Theatre, and end-of-term shows. Suzi was also a member of the Watermill Youth Theatre for three years, sung in her school choir and performed a duet, and has danced with the Christine Lucas Dance School.

Peter Brand (Liam)

Peter is 15, and his ambition is to do something along the lines of music - OK, to be a Rock Star!
Pete has played drums in a band for about a year, and has done gigs for parties, weddings and school fêtes. He also plays guitar in another band, and often sings backing vocals for both groups.
He has been at the Lisa Harrington School of Drama for about seven years, passing many New Era exams, and has acted in Street Theatre, festivals and end-of-term shows alongside Sam and Suzi.

Craig Wheeler (Corey)

Craig is also fifteen, and is the lead singer in the same band for which Peter plays drums.
His performances show great confidence and humour, and the group is in demand for parties, dances and fêtes.
Although he has always shown promise in school drama, and offers a great deal of potential, this will be Craig's first headline stage rôle.

Sally Atkinson (Laura)

Sally is fifteen, and has always been a keen dancer. She has spent seven years at A J Academies Dancing School, taking part in numerous shows, and has been taking gymnastics classes for three years.
She is now in her second year at West Berkshire Youth Dance, generally regarded as the most talented group in the area.
Sally has played the flute for six years, and sings with Newbury Young Singers. She appeared in 'Out of Tune' with the group, and sang a solo part at Bournemouth and at the Hilton North Hotel.

Samantha Hall (Tina)

Sam is also fifteen, and her driving ambition is to be in theatre. She is a member of Newbury Youth Theatre, and her acting and dancing appearances include The Peace Children, which was written by the group.
This was performed at this year's Newbury Spring festival, and also in The Fringe at the Edinburgh Festival.
It's now Sam's sixth year at the Lisa Harrington School of Drama, and she has passed several New Era exams, the last with honours. She was awarded a cup for her acting skills at the last Presentation Evening, and has taken part in several of Lisa's shows with Suzi and Pete.
Sam last appeared in the New Era Players' production of The Crucible as Betty, and rounds off her talents on the flute, which she has played for six years.

Susan Hall (Miss Derek)

Sue is the only 'mature' actor in the Company. She is a singer and percussionist in two local 'fun' bands, 'Get your Coat' and 'The Booze Brothers', performing in pubs, at friends' parties, and at fêtes.
Sue works with adults who have learning disabilities, and has been involved in productions and in teaching drama skills.