Judi Spiers on Monday Real life story makes for a great movie
THINK Fisherman’s Friends (the film), Billy Elliot and Calendar Girls. All about ordinary people who did something extraordinary.
So, with that in mind, what about this for an idea for a film?
In 1982, a young hairdresser moves down from Yorkshire with his family to a small town in one of the most idyllic parts of Cornwall.
There he sets up and runs his own hairdressing business.
Always a keen singer and amateur dramatics enthusiast, he joins the local amateur operatic society. He assembles a small group of local youngsters for a one-off concert in aid of Save The Children, which proves to be a huge success, and leaves the audience wanting more. So in 1993 he sets up a youth theatre company which goes on to be one of the most successful youth theatre companies in the UK, raising more than £2 million for charities and to keep its own theatre going. Oh, And Sir Tim Rice agrees to be the Patron!
Past members go on to star in West End productions like Oliver! and Les Mis and Joseph. Others get into
drama school, tour the world on cruise ships and in Mamma Mia! Others sing in clubs and run their own talent agency. Another wins The Voice and lands a contract with Polydor.
He, the founder, is awarded a British Empire Medal in the Queen’s Honour’s List and is one of six people chosen from thousands of nominees, selected for their selfless acts of charity to take part in The Peoples’ Strictly Come Dancing for Comic relief.
Well, I think it’s got all the elements, and probably more than necessary, for a cracking film – and it’s true! The company is Kidz R Us, based in St Ives in Cornwall, and its founder is Phil Barnett BEM.
Last week I was thrilled when Phil called me and asked if I would like to be an ambassador for them. I have followed their progress ever since I first filmed with Phil 30 years ago. I was staggered by the talent then and remain so.
It is talent that Phil and his team of volunteers have uncovered and encouraged, but he is keen to point out that this is not all about turning out talent for the theatre. At its heart, it is about building confidence, helping young people through tough times and helping them to realise that the skills they have can be used in their own lives as well as on stage.
He was that young boy who stood outside an audition, desperate to go in but not daring. Luckily someone spotted him and took him in and he was encouraged and nurtured and it is that that he wants to pass on. More recently, Kidz hosted Autism’s Got Talent in which Katie Price’s son Harvey made his stage debut.
Phil realised, after learning about autism, that many of the thousands of children he has helped over the years have been on the spectrum and reckons, if he had known more about it, he would have been able to make their experiences so much better.
During the various lockdowns, they have managed to do a few live shows outdoors and via Zoom, but they need to raise money to keep going.
With that in mind he says wouldn’t it be great if their 384-seat theatre, complete with state of the art digital screens, could be used during the G7 summit being held in area this year?
Well, Phil, as you dear old mum used to say:
“Reach for the moon – if you can only get the stars, how wonderful is that?”
You’ve got to admit that, as a film, it has got legs.
www.kidzrus.net – if you want to know more.
I think it has got all the elements – perhaps more than necessary – for a cracking film