First there was Popstars, and then there was Soapstars now we have Bristol Stagestars! Walt Disney Theatrical productions were looking for a new star to appear in their award-winning production of "Beauty and the Beast". Disney are casting the featured role of 'Chip', the scene-stealing lad who is transformed into an enchanted teacup. Associate Director, Dan Mojica told Nowt2Do.Com, "We are looking for a talented young boy with a great voice and a magical presence, who can bring Chip to life."
Expecting huge lines, masses of screaming kids and hopeful pushy mothers Kath enters the audition room jam-packed full of - 3 kids. Ah. So far it isn't the turn out expected but still its 9am on a drizzly Saturday things could get better.....couldn't they?

Well, yes, they could. And they did - two more turn up shortly afterwards. Then the registration begins, "Who's first, don't all shout at once" Kath, the runner, hollers as she goes up to the first parent and child, details are exchanged including a sticky label with the child’s names, surely those who can't remember their names should fail at this hurdle, but Disney are being nice! "How long do you think it'll take" questions the father no doubt hoping he'll get back for the football, "Oh it could take all day, depending on call backs and such." "Oh....fine" he says as his face suddenly turns to stone.

Expecting around 50 or so Disney will put each child through the same rigorous audition process to whittle it down to 2, each to play Chip in Beauty and the Beast, fame on a large level! This doesn't put off 8-year-old Simon Camp who got up at 7am (yes, 7am on a Saturday morning) to audition. "I just like being on stage and performing in front of large audiences" he raves, an already confident young man who's "only a bit nervous!"

Louise Pippa the casting director, bursts into the room, just as some more hopefuls enter.  "Right we're going to measure you all now, if you are too tall sorry but we can't use you. " She later explained that the strict height limit is due to the elaborate costumes used for the show. No one is too tall, so things are looking up, auditions begin at 10, and so the waiting continues!

Suddenly Hear'Say's Pure and Simple is piped into the room and the kids actually have a musical moment and burst into song! Could they be going for the Popstars feel to the auditions, and if so who is Nasty Nigel and where is Darius? Only time will tell if we can find them!

The clock ticks, the kids wait, "Not long now" utters one mother to their impatient son. The clock ticks some more, and then like Belle going to the ball, it’s ten o’clock. The youngsters are then told what’s happening, they go into the audition room and sing their chosen song. That’s it! They will then get a callback if they are good, which will involve some acting. Finally 4 children will be chosen to play Chip in Beauty and the Beast. They will have a few weeks for rehearsing in London before they are put onto the stage in front of the testing Bristolian audiences.

The idea of choosing a local youngster is a brilliant one, allowing those from the area to perform in their hometown and get their first bite of that acting apple! Whilst the turnout was somewhat smaller than expected, those who did appear on the day will all get the chance to be involved in a performance, which, if they are lucky, could just be the first step on the path to mega-stardom. Who knows, we may have seen Bristol's next Cary Grant in that small room in the Bristol Folk House today...

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 This Page was last updated on 20/07/2005


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