Wymsical rehearsals normally take place at Powick Parish Hall
Wymsical Debut & Spotlight
Friday 6:15pm-7:45pm
£50 per half term
Ages 6-10 (Debut)
Ages 10-13 (Spotlight)
Led by Pammy Watkins, Stephen Watkins and Lois Press this group will spend each year preparing material for revues- "Wymsicals" or for "book" shows.
Previous Wymsicals have had themes such as Disney, Myths & Legends, The Wild West, Pantomime, All At Sea, Around the World, Children in Muscals and Fantasy.
The next few terms for the group will focus on:
September 2022 - January 2023
The Greatest Show
by Mike Horth & Jan Porter
A Wymsical Christmas Carol
January 2023 - April 2023
Rodgers & Hammerstein’s
“Cinderella”
May 2023 - July 2023
To be announced
The approach is normally equally divided between formal core training and experiential learning, with occasional terms devoted to preparing a full scale "book musical".
We plan to separate rehearsals from Spotlight when a rehearsal space becomes available, allowing a crossover of the different groups, but for the next show, Debut will be working with Spotlight (albeit streamed).
Wymsical Encore
Friday 7:45pm-10:15pm
£75 per half term
Ages 14-20
This group gives more opportunities for individual development with more solos and small ensembles. Members of Encore are expected to work at a quicker pace and prepare shows in shorter timescales than the junior companies.
With Stephen Watkins in charge of music and Britt Packer in charge of choreography, this group has a different dynamic every revue as each Wymsical has a different Guest Director!
Each Wymsical focusses on two or three celebrated composers or musical theatre genres leading to a musical revue- a "Wymsical" performed at a local theatre. For 2022 - 2023 these will be held at the Norbury Theatre, Droitwich.
The approach is approximately one third formal core training to two thirds experiential learning.
Our first topic of this season is:
Pasek & Paul, Irving Belin and Ashman & Menken.
The Wymsical Year
Whereas previously every half term was a "self contained unit" each leading to a performance, we have made some changes following consultation with Wymsies and there is often now an overlap of terms. This gives students the opportunity for extra preparation during holidays and means we can make the Christmas performances less stressful!
AUTUMN TERM
The Wymsical Year kicks off with a party at Powick Parish Hall for all current, departing and new Wymsies, known informally as the "Wymsical Prom"!
Autumn term is spent producing a three subject Encore Wymsical in early November, preparing the January show for Debut/Spotlight and staging a Christmas Spectacular of some sort or another! There is usually an opportunity to sing Christmas Carols somewhere and we also cast our Easter "book" musical this term. Rehearsals are Friday nights, with an occasional Sunday morning (usually 10:30-13:30) extra rehearsal as necessary.
SPRING TERM
Spring term sees the delivery of the Debut/Spotlight show and the year's highlight for many- the book show. As a result of the extra work required to put together a bigger project, there are rehearsals on Sundays (mostly 10:30-13:00) with a couple of long day rehearsals closer to the deadline.
Alongside this there may well be the opportunity to participate in local music festivals, dates and times permitting.
SUMMER TERM
A breakneck pace this term as we prepare and perform an Encore Wymsical, a Debut/Spotlight Wymsical and an End of Term Jamboree!
There are opportunities for older Wymsies to participate in classical "bring and sing" events.
Wymsical Fees
Debut and Spotlight fees are £50 per half term payable at the start of each half term. Encore fees are £75 per half term payable at the start of each half term. Failure to pay fees may result in being excluded from shows. If a student makes the most of their Wymsical membership attending all rehearsals, they will be getting tuition for less than £3 per hour of contact time (calculated over the Wymsical Year).
These fees include all rehearsal materials except "book show" scripts, which are billed for separately.
Every new Wymsie will receive a yellow folder and rehearsal materials for their next show. If a Wymsie loses their rehearsal pad or yellow folder, they will be billed for a new one. If for convenience, parents would like two copies of the rehearsal pad, these can be supplied at cost (between £7-£9 per pad).
Wymsies are expected to provide their own shoes as directed by our choreographers.
Costumes are provided as necessary but all Wymsies must provide their own smart black stage clothes. (No jeans, no hot-pants, no trainers!)
A range of Wymwear is currently being sourced and Wymsies will be welcome to purchase these at certain "order points" through the year.
