DUCTAC Gives Local Talent A Second Chance To Be Part Of Musical Thriller Sweeney Todd

Missed out the first time around? Second round of auditions to be held on Wednesday 16th January

After three years of hit productions, Spotlight Academy at DUCTAC is returning in April 2013 with another classic show, Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s musical thriller Sweeney Todd, and the creative team are still looking for talented local people to be part of the show. Spotlight Academy has become known for producing acclaimed new versions of classic musicals that combine the talents of the very best UAE-based performers with professional musical theatre stars from around the globe. Sweeney Todd comes hot on the heels of this summer’s sell-out production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s CATS, last year’s critically acclaimed production of West Side Story and 2010’s smash hit Hairspray. Sweeney Todd will once again give the very best local performers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to work, rehearse and perform alongside some of the UK and USA’s leading theatrical stars under the direction of a team of top international creatives. Open auditions will take place at DUCTAC, Mall of the Emirates from 4pm on Wednesday 16th January, and are open to anyone aged 12 and above.

Director Joseph Fowler said: “We held open auditions in November and found some absolutely fantastic performers who I’m really excited about working with when we start rehearsals in March. However, a show like Sweeney Todd requires a real mix of characters. With this in mind, we’ve decided to hold some extra auditions in January so that anyone who didn’t get a chance perform for us the first time around has the chance to show us their talent.”

First performed on Broadway in 1979, Sweeney Todd is a rare example of a musical thriller. Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s chilling, suspenseful, heart-pounding masterpiece of murderous barber-ism and culinary crime tells the infamous tale of the unjustly exiled barber who returns to 19th century London seeking revenge upon the evil judge Turpin who framed him for a crime he didn’t commit. His thirst for revenge expands to include his unfortunate customers, and the resourceful proprietress of the pie shop downstairs, Mrs. Lovett, who soon has the people of London lining up in droves with her mysterious new meat pie recipe. Film fans will be familiar with Tim Burton’s multi award winning 2007 movie version of the musical, which starred Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd and Helena Bonham Carter and Mrs Lovett.

Successful auditionees will go on to take part in intensive theatre workshops and rehearsals which will take place during weekends throughout March, before the full-time academy begins on 29th March and runs until 8th April. The workshops will culminate in five public performances of Sweeney Todd in DUCTAC’s magnificent Centrepoint Theatre from 9th – 13th April 2013. Preparations for the show are designed to run in exactly the same way as the preparation period for a professional West End production, giving Dubai’s aspiring musical theatre stars the chance to see exactly what it takes to be a professional performer.

For more information on the auditions please visit www.ductac.org or call 04 341 4777.

Emirate:  Dubai

Date: Dec 16, 2012

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