100s ready to get up and boogie

It may have been decades before they born, but young performers from the Black Country were hoping to recreate the sounds and style of the 70s at auditions for the summer production of Boogie Nights.

Hundreds of youngsters were warming up in the queue which snaked around Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre in preparation for their chance to star in the 1970s extravaganza.

Amber Gordon, aged 12, Rebecca Hale, aged 15, and 12-year-old Shannon Baggott  were all in the queue.

The girls all hail from the Timmins Dance Academy in Halesowen and said they were very excited about the prospect of performing.

Amber said: “We get trained in our classes about what to do in an auditions so we are prepared. We have to listen to what they will us to do, practice the routines while we are waiting in the wings and if anyone asks us to speak we have to make sure we are clear and pronounce everything properly. “I like auditions. They are fun, I feel a bit nervous but quite confident as well. 

“I don’t know much about the 70s though, I think I am a bit young.”

Shannon Berridge, aged 12 of Smethwick and twins Rebecca and Megan Ingram, both 12 and their youngster sister Bethany 10, from Halesowen all study dance and were in the queue. They all said they were are really looking forward to getting on stage and weren’t feeling nervous.

Mum Nicola Ingram, accompanying them said: “I don’t want them to be too nervous, it’s just a bit of fun. If they get through then that’s brilliant, if they don’t then it doesn’t matter. We have been listening to the Boogie Nights CD for the past few weeks so they can get to know the 70s music a bit.”

Megan added: Our favourite is Enough is Enough, it’s really good.”

In addition to the performers the theatre is also auditioning for backstage staff, aged between 16 and 24. The 70s show,  is packed with classic seventies floor fillers including Boogie Wonderland, Celebration, Disco Inferno, Enough is Enough, I Will Survive, Play That Funky Music, Street Life, We Are Family and YMCA.  

Boogie Nights was an instant hit when it made its West End debut at the Savoy Theatre in London in 1998.