Wednesday, 28 August 2013

Fundraising Extravaganza!

This Saturday, at 7:30pm, a group of my best friends are taking to the the stage at Dunchurch Village Hall, in an evening of song, dance, music and drama, all in aid of the TSSS.


Every year I take part in a local pantomime, latest performances being Alice in Wonderland and Sleeping Beauty, where I have met some of my best friends. A few weeks after the final show had taken place this year, Suzy and I were talking about what we were going to do next, and somehow came up with the idea of directing and performing a whole charity showcase. So… we began organising, booking, casting, and getting funding. 

Suzy and I
Boy, we had no idea what we had gotten ourselves into. A 17 and 19 year old directing a bunch of your best friends in a showcase where everyones doing something different…. we learnt a lot lets say. For the first few rehearsals I'd managed to get myself in hospital, so Suzy was brilliant in pulling everyone together and getting the vital ideas we needed to take the first steps to putting on a show. Excitement quickly began rising as proper rehearsals began, scripts handed out, and songs and monologues chosen.

Holly also came up with the idea of going on a sponsored walk for more funding, so on the 22nd June 2013, everyone walked 10 miles for Turners. They're all mad. I obviously sat in the car with Mum, driving alongside them for a while, and played very loud, inspirational music out the window to them to boost morale… I was very proud of them all for finishing. We celebrated with cakes and sandwiches, and somehow most of them also managed to pluck up the energy to be manic on the park equipment at Draycote Water…. I don't know how they did it. 

The mad lot, getting ready to walk 10 miles! 
A few more hospital admissions later, I realised it wasn't fair on the others if I was still acting in the show, my health wasn't great, I'd missed so many rehearsals and I was unsure if I'd be actually able to perform on the night, so I quickly cast understudies and took a back seat, watching over the rehearsals I could attend, meeting up for updates and getting texts from a rather stressed Suzy!! She became chief director/organizer/do-gooder, and the show wouldn't be happening if not for her… Even with many ups and downs in rehearsals, (including breaking chairs from the church hall in a rather vicious game) I knew it would come together in the end… 

We also managed to get in touch with Helen Dulcamara, an experienced director whom I know as I worked with her when I was in 'The Crucible' and 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie' at Rugby Theatre. We got her involved, and she helped polish individual performances and pull the show together, which we are very grateful for. She also gave us the idea of involving the local dance school, CATS, and have the children from there performing, which I'm so looking forward to watching. 

The wonderful cast (nearly everyone!)
With a final dress rehearsal on Friday night, I can't believe its so close! From an idea concocted in my living room months ago, to what it's become today…. So many hours of hard work has gone into this show, and there are only 20 tickets left, so if you haven't already, I suggest you book them ASAP, as there's no guarantee they'll be there on the night!! Email: tsss-fundraiser-enquiries@hotmail.com to book. They cost £5, and ALL profits go to the Turner Syndrome Support Society, a charity incredibly close to my heart, as you all know.

Enjoy watching the teaser trailer, and be prepared, its going to be a fab night! 

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