It's showtime for the talented Showkids

Talented young performers from Showkids Musical Theatre are gearing up for their end-of-term production.
Sophie Russell, Lucy Thomson and Daniel Bentley are excited about the Showkids shows.Sophie Russell, Lucy Thomson and Daniel Bentley are excited about the Showkids shows.
Sophie Russell, Lucy Thomson and Daniel Bentley are excited about the Showkids shows.

Showkids is a musical theatre school for children from age five upwards. The classes include the three main elements of musical theatre – singing, dance and drama.

As well as working on material from popular musicals, the children are encouraged to be creative – and that creativity is certain to be on show in their upcoming performances.

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Miriam Elwell-Sutton returned to Glasgow after 12 years performing in West End shows in London to set up Showkids three years ago.

And it’s probably fair to say she’s as excited as the children about their shows.

Miriam said: “At Showkids, each term we work on a different project.

“The first term is often based around a show that is touring to Glasgow. This is usually punctuated by a very exciting workshop with a member of the touring company cast and trip to the theatre to see the show.

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“This year we went to Hairspray which the kids absolutely loved!

“Having worked in the industry for years I almost always know someone in a touring show and so have been able to organise for someone in the cast to come and teach the kids a bit of the show. That’s a great experience for them.

“This term is the devising term, and so the kids get to come up with their own story based around a theme we give them. This year it’s been based around the themes in the hit movie The Greatest Showman and using some of the songs from it.

“We have decided to call their shows The Greatest Showkids and Money Makes The World Go Around. Each of the classes puts on a completely different show as it comes from their ideas.

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“Rehearsals are going really well and everyone has been super focussed. I think because they have had so much input themselves they feel more attached to it and want it to be as good as I can be – which is obviously a delight for the teachers!”

The show is performed in Cathcart Baptist Church, where the Showkids classes take place. And audiences can expect to see some impressive dance routines, thanks to the efforts of teacher Megan Woods.

“She is fantastic,” enthused Miriam. “She graduated from Dance For All in Edinburgh only last year and is DDI qualified. She’s been with us since August 2017 and has been such an asset – the dance numbers have never looked better!”

Miriam herself thoroughly enjoys teaching too, but admits she still has a passion for performing.

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“I am a regular guest soloist with the RSNO big band and cafe orchestra, I run my own trio The Nighting Gals and I’ve performed in one of the Oran Mor’s mini musicals. It’s a varied lifestyle and I very much enjoy that.”

Showkids currently runs four classes a week for children from P1 up third year at high school. There is also a summer school each year.

For more information, see www.showkidsglasgow.com or www.facebook.com/showkidsglasgow