Forth Children’s Theatre are gearing up for a massive celebration of their 45th Anniversary. Featuring an ensemble of current FCT members and alumni, this concert features some of the company’s most notable musicals such as ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie’, ‘Anything Goes’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’, ‘13 The Musical’ and ‘Hairspray’. Along with performances from more modern musicals such as ‘Mary Poppins’, ‘School of Rock’ and a sneak peak at FCT’s up-coming Fringe production ‘Everybody’s Talking About Jamie’.
This production is co-directed and co-choreographed by Forth Children’s Theatre alumni – Taylor Doherty and Jack Nixon. Between the pair they have twenty years of FCT experience. They had this to say on bringing 45 years of FCT to the Church Hill stage –
“We would like to thank every single person involved for making this such an enjoyable experience, and for allowing us to create this production together. We’ve had such a blast throughout the whole process.
We’re looking forward to audiences seeing this production, and the hard work that our talented cast (current FCT members and Alumni) have worked tirelessly on with such passion to bring 45 years of Forth Children’s Theatre history to life. So, get your tickets for what promises to be a special event in the FCT calendar and support our young people.”
Mark McLauchlin joins Doherty and Nixon as Musical Director with Co-Musical Direction from Jack Gardner. The quartet of creatives take on some of the biggest numbers in musical theatre history with a live band joining them for performances at the Church Hill Theatre.
Forth Children’s Theatre has a rich pool of volunteers, working in the background to create the showbiz magic you see in every production. Gavin Macleay takes lead on Set Design and build, Angie Caulfield oversees the varied costumes required for this concert, Jane Sutherland makes the cast look glam on Make-up, with Geraldine Deponio & Jan McNeillie supplying a wide array of props. Callum Farrell and Connor Dickson supply sound, with Andy Johnston on lights. Veteran production manager Irene Hogg (also Chair of FCT) takes lead of the 45th Gala, ensuring the continuity of the high standard of production the charity are renowned for.
Whilst Forth Children’s Theatre changes over time – with casts outgrowing the company and some shifts in creative leadership, its core mission of allowing young people of all backgrounds to participate within theatre is still very much at the heart of the charity after 45 years. If anything, this gala very much proves that with its ambition. Helping retain this key mission statement, is several longtime volunteers and alumni.
Two longstanding members who are known for their championing and support of the company are Jane Sutherland and Irene Hogg. Jane’s father, the late Peter Gorman, was one of Forth Children’s Theatre’s founding fathers, it was Peter that started FCT’s journey 45 years ago and now Jane continues his legacy as an honorary member on the charity’s board. Jane herself participated within FCT as a child and members of her own family are also FCT alumni. Now Jane helps as much as she can with such determination for each production, ensuring all young people and volunteers alike are supported. Irene Hogg is well known as Forth Children’s Theatre’s production manager. Irene (known to friends as Rene), pulls the company’s productions together getting everything FCT teams need, whether that be a coffin, a venue, a moon, and specializing in Rene story time (a pre-show ritual), a delight for both the young people and adults! Rene, her husband Alan and their late daughter Jenny, worked with FCT for years and are well known for being a staple in the family, now even more so with Rene currently on the charity’s board as chair.
Jane and Rene both are thrilled by this exciting celebration of Forth Children’s Theatre’s history. With Sutherland stating “It feels a bit insane to be celebrating 45 years of FCT given I’ve spent most of my life involved in this incredible company. I cannot wait to see our cast having wonderful time on stage from our newbies to our Alumni returnees. “ Rene also feels nostalgic with the approaching gala concert; “As a family, we have been with FCT a long time and to see the enthusiasm of new young people every year is brilliant. I’m really looking forward to the Gala, with all our brilliant young people and alumni involved.”
Forth Children’s Theatre’s 45th Anniversary Gala will play The Church Hill Theatre from Thursday 4th – Saturday 6th April 2024. Showtimes are 19:30 (Thurs, Fri & Sat) and 14:30 (Sat), with tickets from £15 (full price) & £12 (concession).
Get tickets from here – https://www.forthchildrenstheatre.org/event-details/45th-anniversary-gala-2024-04-04-19-30
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