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JUST 4 WEEKS TILL LONDON…

sophie holdsworth singer

I’ve been really busy over the summer recording a number of songs, in truth I’ve been practising and learning many new songs in preparation for starting at the Royal Academy in London in just four weeks time.  I’ve video a few of them to share and build my YouTube following too.

It’s been a very strange year with a pandemic that has affected everyone in some way. I remain hopeful that the theatres will open again soon and that the arts can continue and flourish again. It appears that my Music Theatre MA course is still set to start in September and then it will be full-on, 6 days a week learning as much as I can. My goal is to gain the right agent by the end of the course that will help me forge a career doing what I love. I know it’s not going to be easy but if you don’t try you’ll never know. Wish me luck, I’m southward bound in just 4 weeks time 🙂

  

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC IN LONDON

I’m so delighted to announce that I have been offered a place to study a Masters in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music in London from September this year. It is such a prestigious place to study and I know it will be hard with a timetable 9am to 6pm (plus) six days a week but I am so ready to throw myself into this. It will be the final step into an industry I just want to try and earn a living from and I couldn’t have wished for a better place to do it. Thanks to all for helping me along the way.

No one is really sure how it’s all going to pan out for the industry following this Coronavirus pandemic but whatever path it takes, the Royal Academy will ensure i’m in the best condition to tackle it….

The Wedding Singer Postponed :(

I was delighted to have been chosen as the lead female Julia in The Wedding Singer musical, to be performed at the Bradford Playhouse in June this year. Rehearsals had started, I’d worked hard on my lines and songs to get ahead and like many performers at this current time have faced the disappointment that the show is now delayed till 2021. It’s a small issue compared to many faced with such an awful illness.  #StaySafe #Covid-19

An Inspector Calls at the Bradford Alhambra

This week I’m in An Inspector Calls at the Alhambra theatre in Bradford. It’s been some years since I’ve been on this stage and I’ve never been on to an absolutely full house before. But all 6 performances are sold out largely because the writer of the book is from Bradford (J B Priestley was, according to my Grandpa, with my great uncle in WW1) and because it’s a book that is studied at GCSE, so it’s quite a young audience.

I’m playing an ‘Extra’, which is a whole new experience and it has been really interesting to mix with professional actors on stage. I’ve met some really interesting people, all adding to my experience.  And I get to wear great clothes too….bradford-theatres.co.uk/whats-on/an-inspector-calls

 

KIPPS, THE NEW HALF A SIXPENCE MUSICAL, COMPLETED

I’ve just completed 5 performances as Helen Walshingham in this brilliant new musical performed at the newly refurbished St George’s Hall in Bradford. What a great theatre and bunch of people to perform with. It’s been a pleasure working with Buttershaw Amateurs over the last few months, they’ve made me feel so welcome to their really experienced team of performers.

If you haven’t seen this new adaptation of the original Half a Sixpence musical, written by Julian Fellowes, it’s a great show to see full of energy, fun and all-round great entertainment. Here are just a few of the great costumes I wore during the show.

Next Performance “Kipps, the new Half a Sixpence Musical”

I am delighted to be playing one of the lead roles of Helen Walsingham in ‘Kipps, the new Half a Sixpence Musical’ 22-25 January 2020. I’m also delighted that it will be performed at the recently refurbished St George’s Hall in my home City of Bradford. Rehearsals started just this week. I’ll keep you posted on the dates when confirmed.

There are some of the well known songs from the original show in this version along with many new songs. Kipps is still the main character and the story line is not too much changed, but he starts the show, along with Ann Pornick, as a child, with his Aunt Susan and Uncle Bert, which are new characters. The story follows the life of Arthur Kipps as he works in Shalford’s Emporium along with the other shop boys under the watchful eyes of Mr Carshott and Mr Shalford.

Mr Chitterlow the playwright comes into the scene with news for Kipps of his inheritance and he leads Arthur on a merry dance.

Once word of Arthurs inheritance comes to light Helen Walsingham and family take an interest in him and Helen sets out to marry Kipps.   That’s me Helen Walsingham!

More details to follow closer to the time…..Now the hard work begins with what is a new team for me “Buttershaw St Paul’s Amateur Operative and Dramatic Society

Tickets are already available at Bradford Theatres here

First Lead Role – Penny in Hairspray 2010

In 2010 I landed my first lead role as Penny Pingleton in my secondary school production of Hairspray. I was 12 years old. Whilst I’ve performed in many previous productions with a local stage school, Stage 84 in Bradford, this was my first main role and I just loved it. I was searching through old photos today and found this one!

 

UCLAN CHAMBER CHOIR

It has been an absolute privilege to have been selected to sing first soprano for the UCLAN* Chamber Choir for the past 3 years. After a week of singing for all the University graduations I have sung for the last time today as I leave UCLAN for the final time. I have learnt so much from the experience and i truly hope to continue my choir singing in the future. Thanks to Mark Goggins leader of the choir and Head of the MT department at the university.

*University of Central Lancashire

FIRST CLASS HONOURS DEGREE IN MUSIC THEATRE

After 3 years of hard work and determination I managed to achieve a First Class Bachelor of Arts Degree with Honours in Music Theatre and I am so delighted.  It has been a great 3 years of study at UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire). I have met some really talented people, learnt so much to help with the career I want to follow and really appreciate the help and constant advise and training from all the tutors. Now for a year of working, saving and further training so I can start applying for Drama Schools next year……thats the plan, unless I fall lucky and land a perfect role for me in the meantime….

PLAYING THE LEAD WAS AMAZING

Playing Cass, the lead in the newly written musical Flower Cutters and being selected and Directed by award winning international Theatre Director, Bruce Guthrie has been the highlight of my career so far.  It was the final show for my Music Theatre degree at UCLAN (University of Central Lancashire). It was a big challenge and step for me, being on stage 95% of the show time, but I loved every minute of both the rehearsal time and performances. I learnt so much from the Director and writers and I can’t wait to do it again.

 

© Copyright Sophe Holdsworth