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Robin Hood Panto starts tonight…

I’m so pleased to be playing Robin Hood for the Ilkley Upstagers Pantomime at Kings Hall in Ilkley starting tonight and running till the 3rd of February. Kings Hall is a fantastic venue, part of Bradford Theatres, and hosts just under 500 people. We have a total of 10 performances and almost a full house each night so around 4500 people will see our show this year!

How proud am I to be playing this role, it is so much fun and as I’m fairly new to panto (this is only my third one) it’s still a challenge.

If you get a chance to come and see us, tickets can be purchased here. Please do come and say hello after the show…

   

Singing at Freedom Bar, Soho, London

I’m London bound this afternoon as I’m singing at the Freedom Bar in Soho this evening.  It’s also a chance to catch up with Royal Academy of Music colleagues too who are apparently coming to watch and support, which I am very grateful for.  I woke up this morning with a sore throat and white dots which isn’t good, but my singing voice sounds fine, so I’m determined not to let them down.  I’ve changed the songs to those that are easier for me to sing and if I sound ok, see below and let me know what you think…

First up – Sara Bareilles – Gravity cover then Feeling Good….

Bradford Bulls RLFC pre-match entertainment…

This was something different. I was invited to sing at the Bradford Bulls Rugby League game on Sunday 14th May as their pre-match singing entertainment and I loved it.

They were playing the Swinton Lions  RLFC and thankfully they won on the day, but only just 🙂

The pre-match entertainment was as the stadium was filling up with spectators and in the end, there were around 1000 at the game but it was a great experience and I loved just being able to belt out my songs without the worry that I was too loud.

I met their Chairman, who was lovely and grateful for my contribution and had a lovely meal too.  It was a sunny day and I was joined by my family and my grandma (who’s 91) who hadn’t been to the Odsal Stadium for many years.  It was a lovely venue that holds a capacity of 26,000.  They’d like me to go back and I said absolutely YES….

Playing Panto…

Recently I was delighted to play a comedic role as Chester the Jester in a Sleeping Beauty panto. The part was full-on, trying to keep the children amused, but great fun. It was hilarious playing alongside the Dame and we laughed so much during rehearsals and performances that I’m still missing the lovely cast.  Thank you for the opportunity, first time in a lead in panto and I hope it won’t be my last.

              

Busy with Auditions….

I know it’s been some time since I posted but that’s mainly because I have no real news to share…..

I knew that leaving drama school, all qualified to make my way in the entertainment industry would be the most challenging period and yes it is. But I’m fortunate enough to have a great Agent in Jess who is getting me lots of audition opportunities which is keeping me quite busy and she’s giving me loads of good advice.

I’m getting used to rejection, which I’m told is important and I’m learning from each audition experience and trying to keep positive, which is not always easy.

Whilst doing a new acting self-tape today and having to clear some old stuff, as my iPad is once again getting full to capacity, I came across a recording from last year which I decided to share.

This performance was one of the main highlights for me whilst studying at the Royal Academy of Music in London. It was performed in front of Claude Michel Schonberg (writer of the music for Les Mis along with many others including the Pirate Queen), and whilst I have cropped out his comments at the end of my performance, I can say I was so pleased with the compliments he gave me, I almost floated out of the room.  It is a video that I keep to remind myself that I can do this….. Hope you enjoy it!

Agency Representation… H G Management

My goal when I went to RAM was not only to receive expert tuition but to gain agency representation to help me navigate the best route and career for me in performance, whether that be Musical Theatre, Stage Acting, TV or Film.  It took me longer to find than I had hoped, but I am delighted to announce that I am now being represented by H G Management, formally known as Cre8 Talent, a leading UK based Talent Management company. Please check it out here

Performance at Mrs Riots, Covent Garden, 4th April…

It was great to perform once again at Mrs Riots Musical Mondays and this time it was even more special.  The night was a RAM Grad night, so all the performers had attended the Royal Academy of Music in London.  So not only was it great to perform in front of a live audience, I was doing it surrounded by my colleagues, some of whom I hadn’t seen since leaving the academy last year.  This time I chose to perform a comedic song, “I Just Want to be a Star” from the show Nunsense.

Spotlight on New Musicals …

On Sunday I was invited to sing at a show in the Union Theatre in London, a ‘Spotlight on New Musicals’. It was great to be a part of this show with lots of new and talented performers and new material to sing. Big thanks to Sam Caldwell for the invitation.  I thoroughly enjoyed the preparation and evening.  Video now on my youtube channel or check out the link in my videos below…

New Year New Gig – 23rd Jan

I’m so excited to have been invited to perform at this event by my uni friend Sam Caldwell.  It is an evening, hosted by Luke Bayer, celebrating new musical theatre and emerging writers. It features the music from For Tonight, Summer Survival, Bird Brigade, is He Musical? And the music of Sam Thomas.

It’s on at the UNION THEATRE on Sunday 23rd January 2022 at 7.30 pm.  Tickets £25 are available here.

Union Theatre Old Union Arches 229 Union Street London SE1 0LR

And I’ll be singing with some really talented people, so please come and see me.

© Copyright Sophe Holdsworth