TO BE A MAN to encore in London

Proof of life after death in showbiz


A ballad which was axed from Shakespeare 4 Kidz’ musical Hamlet is now enjoying a kiss-of-life revival.

The number had to be cut because it made the show too long for its young target audience so To Be a Man ended up on the proverbial cutting room floor.

But luckily that wasn’t the final resting place for the song. Writers Julian Chenery and Matt Gimblett entered it for the Stephen Sondheim/Stiles & Drewe song competition (to recognise the best student performer and the best song in a new British musical) which took place recently at London’s Playhouse where it was sung by RADA student Michael Peavoy.

Judges and audience alike loved it: and the song was announced as runner-up.

Now the song is going on to even greater things and will feature during a charity event called Snappy Title on September 20 to launch a new website (New Musicals Network).

The evening is to raise money for Mercury Musical Developments and the Actors’ Benevolent Fund and will include a number of songs from new musicals performed by cast members from West End shows.
 
Organiser Peter Auker saw Michael Peavoy perform To Be a Man at the Sondheim Society competition, and was greatly impressed.

He invited Michael to sing the song again at Snappy Title and Julian Chenery and Matt Gimblett were delighted to give consent for To Be a Man to be part of the event.

JC said: “When Michael sang To Be a Man at the Playhouse he absolutely brought the house down. We can’t wait to hear him perform it again – and for such a brilliant cause. Of course we will be there to cheer him on.”
 
What they say about us:

S4K ROMEO: "Thought you might be interested in the review of the performance of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ at De Montfort Hall, Leicester on 1st February, written by my 8 year old daughter: Romeo and Juliet is a fantastic romantic tragedy play which is put to life in this wonderful production especially for Kidz. With song and dance, uplifting moments and tragic events. The world of Romeo and Juliet also has a moral: ‘Don’t keep war with other people or things that will hurt you very much will happen’. This moral is showed in this wonderful play. It is also understandable for children to help them get to know the story better. There are lots of hilarious Acts and some sad, moving, romantic ones too! The actors are brilliant; they deserve a big, well done! There are some of Shakespeare’s phrases mixed in, e.g. “Parting is such sweet sorrow”, and “Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?”."