Stage Directions
by Richard Lane
Local talent takes to the stage for musical premiere
A
homegrown crop of local talent took to the stage
of the Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley recently
where they wowed audiences with their
presentation of the Youth Group Version of the
West End and Broadway Smash Hit Musical ‘EVITA’.
Members of Stoke Youth Musical Theatre
Company, many of which come from the local area
performed the show for five nights at the end of
November.
The 45-strong cast came from all corners of North
Staffordshire including 21-year-old Olivia Birkin from
Tittensor who played the title role of Eva Peron. Other
main characters included, Will Henshall as Che, Julian
Porch as Juan Peron, Joseph Readman as Magaldi and
Emily Di-Silvestro as The Mistress.
As well as on stage, behind the scenes Stone
resident Chris Bell, the Founder and Director of Stone
Little Theatre, is also now heavily involved with Stoke
Youth Musical Theatre Company as well as two of
Stone’s rising stars, Chris’ children Patrick and Ella.
Patrick (now 16) joined the company in 2011 and
first appeared in 'Our House', the Madness Musical,
and subsequently as 'Pippin and 'Les Misérables' in
2012. Ella (now 12) made her debut in 'Les Misérables'
in the role of Little Cosette. Five other members of the
45-strong company also hail from the Stone and
Tittensor area including Hannah Brown, Thea
Christie, Keiron Quinn, Rebecca Williams and Oliva
Birkin who played the title role of Eva Peron.
As a 'Youth Group Production' the show was
governed by very strict performance requirements, the
main criteria being that it was performed entirely by
players betw