Empire Stage Experience presents Annie

Annie is this year’s production from the Liverpool Empire Stage Experience, which you can catch this week. More than 100 local young performers will be involved in the project, which gives them just two weeks to rehearse and put on a full scale musical performance with the help of industry professionals. There will be four performances of Annie on Empire stage from August 16 to 18. Students from the Royal Northern College of Music will form the orchestra under the guidance of professional musical director Paul Lawton, who has been involved in the Stage Experience project since its inception in 2007. Natalie Flynn, head of education and community at the Liverpool Empire said: “The programme aims to develop the venue’s involvement in the community and Stage Experience is a fantastic opportunity for local people to gain an insight into the world of musical theatre and the performing arts. It offers local young people of all backgrounds the chance to take part in a full-scale musical production on the prestigious Liverpool Empire stage.” You all know Annie -- set in New York during the depression, the show tells the tale of a gutsy orphan who remains optimistic that one day soon everything is going to turn out just fine. Songs include It’s a Hard Knock Life, Easy Street and Tomorrow. Stage Experience productions are of a consistently high standard – recently, West Side Story and Fame (pictured) have been superb. Young people involved in previous Stage Experience projects around the country have gone on to perform in West End Musicals such as Legally Blonde and Mamma Mia. It is just one of the annual projects run by the Liverpool Empire Creative Learning Department. There are a number of ongoing opportunities on offer for groups and individuals of all ages and levels of experience, to work alongside professionals within a professional environment. Activities on offer include dance and drama workshops, backstage tours, work experience and half term activities. Auditions for Annie were held in March, but next year’s show will be announced around Christmas time. Keep an eye on www.creativelearning.atg.co.uk for details of how to apply and audition.