Choreographer’s Scrooge hits stage
AN AWARD-winning choreographer from Loughborough - who quite literally grew up on Broadway - is seeing his hard work come to life as the classic musical Scrooge takes to the stage for the first time at Curve.
From now until Sunday, January 7, the musical, based on Charles Dickens’ muchloved A Christmas Carol, will be at the theatre in Rutland Street, Leicester.
The festive family treat will take audiences and Ebenezer Scrooge on a spellbinding journey through Christmas past, present and yet-to- come.
The show is directed by Nikolai Foster with music, book and lyrics by Leslie Bricusse, and is choreographed by two-time Olivier Award winner Stephen Mear.
Stephen, (53), grew up on Broadway, Shelthorpe, and started out as a dancer at The Neal Academy of Dance at the age of three.
Stephen, who has worked in theatres all over the world, told the Echo: “Rehearsals are going really well, it’s fantastic. The cast are brilliant and Jasper Britton [who is leading the show as Scrooge] is sensational.
“There’s lots of choreography in the show, more than I thought when I first read it but I’d rather it be that way.
“There’s so many different styles in it; there’s a big ballet bit at the end of Act One and I have added some tap too.
“I always get the same feeling when a show takes to the stage. It’s out of your control, it’s not like when you’re a performer and you know if you’re going to go wrong. But I think if I lost that nervous feeling I’d probably give up - but I doubt I will for a very long time.”
Stephen continued: “It is a really joyous show, and the talent on stage should be worth the ticket price alone.”
Following the Curve production, Stephen will be heading to the English National Opera to choreograph Chess.
• For tickets and more on Scrooge the Musical, visit: www. curveonline. co. uk/ whats- on/ shows/ scroogethe-musical