A Decade of MGA
Edinburgh performing arts academy’s tenth birthday bash
Edinburgh’s MGA Academy of performing arts celebrates ten years of putting daughters (and sons) on the stage, with TEN, playing the King’s Theatre this week.
Among the 200 young people performing who are “both exciting enough and inviting enough for this particular sphere”, will be graduate Rhiannon Chesterman – who is just about to finish a successful run in Mrs Henderson Presents at the Noel Coward Theatre in London.
Technical Rehearsal for TEN. Photo: MGA
The production will be a portmanteau event, lifting the best song and dance routines from a decade’s worth of MGA’s productions.
MGA was founded in 2005 to provide a platform for Scottish talent to remain in Scotland and benefit from accredited training at an equivalent level offered by established London colleges.
Also joining the current professional performers-in-training will be host, Ray Quinn, the former star of Brookside and Dancing on Ice winner who was runner-up to Leona Lewis in the X Factor in 2006.
“When I was a kid, I used to sleep, eat and breathe musical theatre,” says Quinn, “so I know how excited all the students will be to get up on the stage and show of the skills they’ve learnt. I can’t wait to be a part of it!”
advice
Quinn is currently in the studio recording a new album. But he had time to give some advice to his fellow performers: “When I was at college, I loved asking for advice when we had guests come in. The best advice I could give the students would be to make sure they have the right representation for them.
“It’s really important to be the performer you set out to be at the start. In the entertainment industry, you get out what you put in. It’s one of the best jobs in the world.”
Andrew Gowland, MGA’s managing director, added: “We are proud to celebrate a decade of success at The MGA Academy and to present the very best in song and dance from the first ten years of our productions.
“TEN will feature Ray Quinn and more than 200 professional performers-in-training from The MGA Academy recreating the most magical moments from a decade of great performances. It is a show not to be missed!”
Listing
The MGA Academy presents TEN
King’s Theatre,
Thursday 23 – Saturday 25 June, 2016
EVenings: 7.30pm; Matinee Sat 25: 2.30pm.
Tickets and details: www.edtheatres.com/mgaacademyten
Facebook event page: www.facebook.com
MGA Academy on Facebook: themgaacademy/
ENDS
