Mercury Musical Developments

A small group from Vivo D'Arte including Dan Cowtan and Jo Penniston had the pleasure of attending the 20th Anniversary Gala Concert of Mercury Musical Developments at the Novello Theatre, Aldwych. Mercury Musical Developments is the only writer-based organisation in Britain dedicated to the development and presentation of new musical theatre. The Gala night was an opportunity to showcase some new and old British composers and writers of musical theatre as well as to fundraise for the organisation. We were treated to songs from Matilda and The Boyfriend, and new pieces including the exciting new musical Loserville performed by Busted's James Bourne. Michael Ball made an appearance alongside Anita Dobson. At Vivo D'Arte we are supporting homegrown musicals and new writers such as Ian Gower and look forward to working with him on Noah the Musical in April 2013.

Noah the Musical

We will be offering an exciting opportunity for young people aged 11 to 18 (other ages considered at our discretion) to take part in a two week workshop from 2nd to 13th April 2013, at the Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley. We will be holding an introduction to the musical led by one of the writers, Ian Gower who will lead the session and provide a chance to learn some songs on Sunday 13th January 2pm to 4pm at the Hall of St Francis, Boxmoor. An important aspect of Noah the Musical is dance, including a ballet and so we will be looking for dancers as well as singers. We are also looking for older participants who want to direct or choreograph. Auditions for the workshop will be held on Sunday 27th January at 2pm. To take part in the introductory session and auditions please register your interest here. The cost of the two week workshop will be £130. This is extremely good value and works out at a lot less than £5 per hour. For those who have difficulty in paying fees there will be some limited bursary and subsidised places available and discounts will apply for siblings. www.noahthemusical.com

Sweeney Todd

Last month we were pleased to see several Vivo D'Arte members including Dilly Bellingham, Pippa Taylor, Ellie Dobby, Sara Lawrence, Rachel Lines, George Watkins, James Penniston and Alfie Glasser perform in Sondheim's Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleetstreet at the Hemel Hempstead Theatre Company (HHTC) production at the Boxmoor Playhouse. Dan Cowtan was Musical Director. The show received very good reviews from NODA. Congratulations to Dan Cowtan, recently appointed Musical Theatre Business Manager at HHTC and to Rachel Lines who was appointed Youth Business manager.

Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce - Friends of Vivo D'Arte

We are delighted to announce that after attending our summer performance of Les Miserables, Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry have shown their support by becoming Friends of Vivo D'Arte.  For more information on how you can become a 'Friend of Vivo D'Arte' please click here. The connection is already proving mutually beneficial with a number of Vivo D’Arte members being invited to perform for a group of Herts business leaders at The Grove, Watford, and to take part in discussions on developing transferable skills through theatre arts.
 

Master Classes

We are planning a series of master classes including stage combat, vocal coaching and preparation for auditions. If you are interested in any of these please let us know by completing our online form. We will release details of the master classes very soon.

Jeff Stewart, Patron - Recital

Several Vivo D'Arte members attended a recital where our patron, Jeff Stewart, Professor of Singing at the Royal College of Music, performed a programme of opera and musical theatre songs. The recital took place at Beldlow Church where Jeff also conducts the church choir.

 Watford Vue Cinema is presenting a number of performances from world class venues of some of the most prestigious operas. Some of these are being shown live, such as Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin which will be broadcast from the Royal Opera House to cinemas across the country including Watford Vue.

Here are details of some of the performances coming soon to Watford Vue:

The Met Opera: The Tempest - 10th November at 17:55
(students and concessions £17.50 - adults £20)

The Met Opera: Aida - 15th December at 17:55
(students and concessions £17.50 - adults £20)

Eugene Onegin: Live from the Royal Opera House - 20th February 2013 at 19:15
(students and concessions £12.50 - Adults £15)

La Boheme: Live from the Royal Opera House - 10th January 2013 at 19:15
(students and concessions £12.50 - Adults £15)

The Magic Flute

Harrow Opera presents the Magic Flute

21st -24th Nov 2012 7.30 pm 24th - 25th Nov 2012 3.00pm

(Sat Mat children's performance, children £3) tickets £16/£14 concessions
Box office 01895 673200 www.compasstheatre.co.uk

Our own Dilly Bellingham will be performing alongside Adrienne Walters, Julie Gray and Andrew Bale who all performed in our vocal Master Class with our patron, Jeff Stewart, in May this year.

We have now raised nearly £30 for Vivo D'Arte projects by people using the easyfundraising.org.uk scheme. For more information about how you can raise money for Vivo D'Arte when you shop online click here.