Musical Theatre

Subject description

Musical theatre is a form of theatre that incorporates dialogue, music, dancing, singing and acting and that has recently seen a huge resurgence in its popularity with television talent shows such as How do We Solve a Problem like Maria and Any Dream Will Do, where leads have been sought for West End musicals. However, the genre is not new. The ancient Greeks included music and dancing in many of their tragedies and comedies and the Romans are credited with inventing the tap dancing shoe: the theatres were so large that the actors stuck metal pieces to their shoes so that the audience could hear their steps. By the 18^th century, ballads and comic operas were sweeping across Germany and France and by the mid-1800s Music Hall had become very popular in Britain. This genre had been nicknamed 'a song and a pint' entertainment because of the flowing alcohol at Music Hall productions. The 1920s saw the advent of the motion picture where films such as The Jazz Singer seemed set to replace musical theatre. However, this didn't happen. The 1980s saw mega-hits such as CATS, Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon and Starlight Express.

Today, musical films and musical theatre run happily alongside each other with the occasional interchange. Films such as The Full Monty and Billy Elliot have become successful theatrical productions. Films such as the remake of Hairspray and the fantastical Moulin Rouge have become huge hits. Musicals are now also created from songs, such as Mamma Mia set around the songs of ABBA and We Will Rock You which is created around the songs of Queen.

There is an increasing need for talented performers who have been trained to high standard in the three main componants of musical theatre: singing, acting and dance. Theatrical productions, children's theatre groups, cruise ships, holiday centres, fringe shows, caberet and community theatre productions are all vying for well-trained individuals.

Example areas of study

It is very important to check the details of subjects that are included in the course with the institutions themselves. Make sure you do this before you submit your application as the course structures may vary between them. An overview of the subjects that you may study is listed below:

• Application of skills
• Public performance
• Television skills
• Radio skills
• Creating a character
• Improvisation
• Story-telling
• Music styles and application
• Musical direction
• Orchestration
• Complex text
• Showcase performance
• Music theatre
• Contemporary dance
• Choreography
• Physical theatre
• Voice and speech
• Theatre technologies
• Critical theory
• Singing
• History of musical theatre
• Musical theory
• Alexander Technique
• Acting
• Stage fighting
• Mime and mask work
• Pantomime
• Commedia
• Theatre in education and the community
• Shakespeare's theatre
• Production studies
• Stage management

Some career possibilities

Some graduates are lucky enough to pursue careers in musical theatre in the West End, on Broadway or in regional and touring productions. Working on stage is physically rewarding but very hard work and you will need stamina as well as ability. You may wish to work in radio or television rather than the theatre, or undertake postgraduate study. Other career options include teaching or working privately in the community as an art, dance or music therapist. You could also work within the arts administration sector.

What do I need to get on a course?

The entry requirements for musical theatre courses vary between institutions but you will almost definitely be required to go to an audition. Auditions tend to be a two-stage process and you may be asked to perform a couple of speeches and a monologue from a play of your choice. For the specific musical theatre courses you may also be asked to demonstrate your singing and dancing skills. Formal entry requirements are usually required as well and a guide to the qualifications and grades that you may need is presented below:

• UCAS Tariff: 80-240 points
• A-level: C-CCC
• SQA Higher: AB
• BTEC National Diploma: DDM in a relevant subject
• Irish Leaving Certificates: CCC-BBC
• International Baccalaureate: 24 points
• European Baccalaureate: 80%
• Access: in a relevant subject

For your application or interview, the following may be useful:

Some experience in a youth or amateur theatre group would be advantageous. Further information is also available from the following websites:

• The Arts Council of England
• The Conference of Drama Schools
• The National Council for Drama Training
• DaDA
• Equity
• The National Youth Music Theatre
• The Stage Magazine

To find out more about the typical subjects you will study, potential career paths and further information useful for your application log-on to Course Discover at www.coursediscoveronline.co.uk*

*NB: Your school or college will need a subscription to Course Discover in order for you to gain access, for further information go to:www.coursediscover.co.uk