Reach Performing Arts Reinforcing Musical Culture

Local performing arts organisation made its mark on the New Year when musical Bugsy Malone came to town.
All-singing and all-dancing talented children went back in time in their most recent performance of an iconic musical.
On the 16th January, local children delivered a show – stopping performance of the unforgettable musical, Bugsy Malone, staying true to the original 1970s musical by having a cast made up entirely of children.
The show took place at Moldgreen Reformed Methodist Church after funds were raised by Reach Performing Arts themselves through donations made by audience members.
The children worked on rehearsals for months before setting foot in front of proud parents, teachers and loved ones, and they didn’t disappoint.
They all proved themselves to be worthy of being onstage after delivering an “outstanding” performance despite facing some technical issues throughout.
Bugsy Malone, a 1976 British gangster film, was originally directed by Alan Parker who based the plot loosely on the events which took place during the Prohibition in the U.S.
The children took on roles of characters such as Fat Sam, Tallulah and Bugsy himself, and all learned a thing or two about being onstage. Following a group meeting following the show, children expressed that they didn’t have to feel “nervous” about performing in front of others.
Reach, a not – for – profit organisation based in the centre of Huddersfield, prides itself on the opportunities it gives to families of young children who want to progress in the performance industry.
The teachers at Reach volunteer to help children gain the valuable skills and life lessons they need in order to thrive in various areas of their lives.
Parents and loved ones who attended the musical showcase had nothing but kind words to say, with one mother saying her daughter “really came out of her shell” despite being “as shy as they come”.
Singer and songwriter Sophie Elizabeth Henderson, who helped the children rehearse during their weekly sessions, said they were “all great” and if they’d “had one more week it would have been even better.”
There have been a number of success stories as a result of Reach opening its doors to local children, including children who have appeared in The Inel and Johnny Show on CBBC and the Northern Soul film released in 2014.
Not only was the show a success, there’s a lot of positivity about the organisation with parents themselves saying Reach is “a good opportunity” for the children and their families because it’s “good to have somewhere to go on a Friday.”
Reach, based upstairs at HD1 Dance, provides workshops for singing, dancing and performing, runs every Friday between 5 pm – 7:15 pm.

For more information visit http://reachperformingarts.com/