A YOUTH performance group is making a determined comeback with their 35th anniversary show, 13 The Musical.
Starmaker Theatre Company struggled when Covid hit.
The group was rehearsing High School Musical in 2020, when their production was cancelled.
But now they are back on stage, with their latest show, 13.
Operations director and trustee of Starmaker Vicki Widdis says: “Covid had a devastating effect on us.
“We had 40 members taking part in our 30th anniversary performance before the pandemic, but a lot of them dropped out during lock down, went on to university, or moved out of the area.”
Vicki and Starmaker chair Sue Costello were determined to keep the group going and this year the charity celebrates 35 years of shows.
“Starmakers has such a great history, and a great alumni,” says Vicki.
“We had to keep it alive.
“It’s where Kate Winslet and her sister Beth both started out, and Alan Cornish was a founder member.”
(Reading-born actress Kate Winslet performed with Starmaker as a child, and late Woodley businessman Alan Cornish, helped set up the town’s theatre.)
Now named after him, this is where Starmakers’ shows are performed.
“After Covid, we started again with just three members,” says Vicki.
“This year there are 13, which is why 13 The Musical is perfect.”
It’s the story of a young American Jewish boy, Evan.
Following his parents’ break-up and a move to another state, he is about to celebrate his Bar Mizvah, and wonders who will come to his party.
In this coming-of-age musical, Evan learns that being in the cool kids’ gang isn’t as cool as having real friends.
“It’s a great family show, and a story young people will really relate to, especially teenagers,” says Vicki.
“Our cast are all aged 12 to 17, and they have said how much it resonates with them.”
Members of the theatre group rehearse three times weekly at South Lake Primary School, Woodley.
There are currently opportunities for young people to get involved.
The group is holding taster session workshops, and young people aged 12 to 20 can also enter open auditions for the group’s October production of Cry Baby.
Starmaker’s current show, 13, can be seen at Woodley’s Alan Cornish Theatre, From Thursday through to Saturday, March 23 to 25.
Taster session workshops are at South Lake Primary School on Wednesday, April 19; Wednesday, April 26; and Friday, April 28.
All three workshops are from 7.30pm to 10pm.
Open auditions are on Sunday, April 30, between 10.30am and 4pm.
For information about Starmaker, to book tickets, register for workshops or to audition, visit: www.starmaker.org.uk
