West End stars present Grease with youth theatre

Married couple Mike Scott and Rachel Barrell, who live in Hemel Hempstead, started Spotlight Youth Theatre 10 years ago.

The majority of the students in the school come from Hemel and 36 of them, aged from nine to 17, have been working extremely hard in rehearsal to present the much loved musical about High School sweethearts in 1950s America.

The show will take place at The SandPit Theatre in St Albans at 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Saturday, June 20.

Mike and Rachel formed their youth theatre with the intention of offering students a weekly class incorporating all aspects of the performing arts, developing singing, dancing and acting skills and most importantly, giving them the chance to perform in highly acclaimed fully staged musicals.

Past productions have included High School Musical, Annie, CATS and Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Mike and Rachel met in the West End show of Thoroughly Modern Millie, performing alongside Amanda Holden, and they have both enjoyed successful careers in the theatre. Rachel has played the lead role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and Mike played Chris in the original production of Miss Saigon. He is currently performing in hit musical Billy Elliot.

Spotlight Youth Theatre rehearsals take place each Saturday morning in Bedmond. Some students have graduated to professional dance and theatre colleges and one student even performed alongside Mike in Billy Elliot.

Tickets for Grease cost £12 for adults, £9.50 children/concessions.

Book online at www.sandpittheatre.co.uk