Whistle Down The Wind released to UK Amateur Societies
Cats and Evita now available for UK Youth Groups
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group is delighted to announce the availability of West End hit Whistle Down The Wind to UK and Eire Amateur Societies. It is the first time the show, which has lyrics by Jim Steinman, has been made available for amateur groups.
Speaking about the release, David Robinson, Head of Licensing at The Really Useful Group said, “We announced in the Autumn of 2011 that we’d be making strides to release as many of Andrew’s works as possible, for amateur and school performances. I am thrilled that we are moving on apace with that project by, today, releasing Whistle Down The Wind for amateur societies.”
Based on the novel by Mary Hayley Bell and subsequent film produced by Richard Attenborough, Whistle Down the Wind follows a group of children who discover an escaped prisoner in a barn, whom they take to be Jesus and vow to protect. The fight between children and adults over the fate of the fugitive is a struggle between bigotry and innocence, updated from the original setting to 1960’s American Deep South.
The sensational score, for 14 players, travels through the rousing gospel opening of The Vaults of Heaven through pulsating rock songs such as Tire Tracks and Broken Hearts, via the lilting melody of the title track Whistle Down the Wind and the song which became a No 1 hit for Boyzone No Matter What.
Cats and Evita now available for Youth Groups
Today’s release (20 January 2012) of Evita and Cats to Youth Groups in the UK and Eire (with members up to the age of 21) indicates further commitment from the Really Useful Group to the country’s amateur dramatics scene.Cats was released to high schools and colleges in September 2011 and has proved popular thanks to its evocative score, interesting characters and the opportunity for dance – not to mention its reputation for being one of the longest-running musicals in the world. All these factors also make it ideal for Youth Groups to perform.
Evita, another juggernaut show from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, tells the story of the rise of Eva Peron from Argentine peasant girl to wife of the country’s leader.In 2006 the original score was updated with Argentine tango flavours for the London production and the show remains one of the most iconic British musicals ever; a hugely enjoyable challenge for anyone prepared to take it on.
For more information please contact David Robinson, Head of Licensing on 020 7240 0880 or email david.robinson@reallyuseful.co.uk
