Showtime Rules
Right, there has been a lot of discussion about the rules of the challenge. Some people think we are singing non-stop for 48 hours, others think we are learning the lines and the tunes in 48 hours, and there are those that think we are staying awake for the full 48 hours. However, the rules are not complicated – we made them up ourselves:
1. Auditions
Open auditions. The Showtime Challenge offers an opportunity for anyone to be involved if they have what it takes to perform on a West End stage. The 48-hour challenge means that people with all sorts of careers can get involved as it does not involve lengthy rehearsal periods.
2. Casting
The team then have the challenge of picking the cast. This year, all candidates will go through an intense audition process of separate acting, singing and dance auditions. Too often, musicals exclude talented performers if the musical director thinks someone cannot sing 27 octaves and does not have perfect pitch. However, musicals require fantastic all- rounders as well as specialists – and, essentially for Showtime, team players. The directors, musical directors and choreographers all work together to find their perfect cast.
3. Lead roles
The lead roles are then given their scripts and scores to learn over the next 8 weeks. These are all learnt independently. There can be no rehearsing with the directing team or with each other.
4. The Press Day
This is the first weekend when the performers can work as a team. However, they cannot perform songs from Crazy for You as that would be cheating. Last year we performed songs from shows such as My Fair Lady, Sweet Charity, Rent and Ragtime to hundreds of shoppers in Covent Garden Piazza. This is followed by a trip to the pub.
5. The Showtime Weekend
• The rehearsing begins at 7.30pm on the Friday evening. This is a run through of the entire production with no direction. This shows the team how well the cast have learnt their parts.
• The Saturday is reserved for intense rehearsals. Block- ing, choreography, singing and character work all have to take place in a short space of time. The day finishes with a full run of the show. This can be depressing.
• Sunday is the day when we get into the theatre. Lighting, sound, set, dancing, dressing rooms, orchestra and everything else needs to be completed by 7pm. The audience arrive and at 7. 30pm the show begins.
6. The party
Everyone is required to go to the after-show party and enjoy themselves.
