A group of dance school students are getting ready to transport audiences from the Southside of Glasgow to the vibrant streets of New York this month.
As this year’s end-of-year showcase, musical theatre students from the Dance School of Scotland will star in The World Goes Round, an ambitious new production staged by the Citizens Theatre.
Graham Dickie, artistic director of musical theatre, said: "This year’s show is unlike anything we’ve ever done before.
“It’s based on the ‘spirit of New York’ which we’ve interpreted to mean its people rather than any building or street.
“The story takes place in Central Park and introduces the audience to a whole range of characters you might expect to meet there, some sad, some happy.
“The running theme throughout is no matter what is going around you, the world will keep spinning.
“It’s really quite exciting. People just won’t expect it.”
The music from The World Goes Round comes from Kander and Ebb, the duo behind Broadway hits including Chicago and Cabaret.
With around 30 songs in total, it’s a huge undertaking for the dance school students but one that they are ready to face head-on.
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Mr Dickie said: “When we move from rehearsals to the Tramway, it becomes a Citizens Theatre production.
“The only thing part of the production that’s amateur is the students because they’re not getting paid.
“From the orchestra members to the lighting designer, these are some of the best professionals in Scotland.
“Once they get into the theatre, our students have to match that.”
As they make the move to the Pollokshields space for a final run of rehearsals, Mr Dickie says that this year’s showcase in particular holds a special significance for the students.
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He said: “We had our junior showcase earlier this month and I had to ask the audience to forgive me for getting a bit emotional.
“As somebody who has been in the industry for 45 years, it’s absolutely bizarre to have had two years of not being able to do anything.
“You suddenly realise just how much you miss it.
“The youngsters learn so much from that one week in the theatre, not just about their own skills, but about the discipline of that environment.
“I think they’ll feel quite emotional when they walk into the Tramway.
“We’ve still got a lot of work to do before the show, but I can’t wait to see it.”
The Dance School of Scotland is based in Glasgow's Knightswood.
The World Goes Round will run at the Tramway from June 23 to 25.
For more information on click here.
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