The Big Little beat

The students of Big Little Theatre School have a great deal to celebrate this Christmas as they see the release of their first professionally recorded CD album – “Can’t Stop The Beat!”

The CD is the culmination of weeks of dedication and hard work, made possible by the many supporters of this extremely talented group of students, whose reputation as one of the south’s leading acting and musical theatre schools grows from strength to strength.

Roger Sansom, the school’s vice-president and Colin Billing, their musical supervisor have such a passion and belief in the “X Factor” that the students possess that together they meticulously planned the entire project, calling on specialists and friends of BLTS to make this dream come true.

Roger has underwritten the entire costs of this project. “I have supported the school from its conception and have never ceased to be amazed at the sheer energy and professionalism of these youngsters. I just wanted the children to have something they could be proud of and enable their incredible talents to reach a wider audience.”

St Thomas Garnet School was transformed into the recording studio for the CD and Paul Gillings, headmaster, saw seven of his classrooms linked by over two miles of cabling and TV monitors to create an ideal venue for the actual live recording.

This first class recording would not have been possible without the expertise of Chris Caton of Concert Production Services Ltd.

Colin and  Chris hid themselves away in a remote cottage where, together with Marcus Marriott, who arranged the majority of the tracks, spent hours burning the midnight oil to ensure that only the best final result was achieved.

 “Can’t Stop The Beat!” contains seventeen tracks featuring songs from stage and screen. It will be available before Christmas at just £10 and can be ordered on line. To find out more about the CD and the school in general visit www.biglittletheatreschool.co.uk

by LINDA KIRKMAN