32 Theatretrainers recently performed with West End stars in ‘The Dreamcoat Stars’ show at The William Aston Hall in Wrexham. The Theatretrain Regional Choir meet at Ysgol Bryn Coch in Mold every Thursday, 6-8pm ..read more

Thirty-two Theatretrainers recently performed with West End stars in ‘The Dreamcoat Stars’ show at The William Aston Hall in Wrexham. The Theatretrain Regional Choir meet at Ysgol Bryn Coch in Mold every Thursday, 6-8pm ..read more

These two cities have long vied to be the world’s capital city for theatre. London has 241 theatres – and probably a lot of rooms above pubs adding to that total. New York has 41 theatres on Broadway but more in the wider area. London has a longer history of theatre, going back two thousand years to the Romans while in the Middle Ages, we know the theatres of Shakespeare’s times were also well attended. London boasts the longest-running play – The Mousetrap by Agatha Christies (over 70 years) as well as the longest-running musical Les Misérables (at a humbler 38 – nearly 39 years). I was fortu ..read more

Have you ever marvelled at the resilience of certain individuals who, after facing failure, bounce back with the grace of a well-executed stage performance? Let’s delve into a captivating narrative that parallels the dramatic ups and downs of life with the world of performing arts, epitomised by the remarkable journey of Ben Platt. In a universe where dramatic pauses and soaring high notes are treasured as much as precious metals, Ben Platt emerged not just as a performer but as a beacon of resilience and adaptability. Picture a knight, not in shining armour, but under the spotlight, wield ..read more

Most of us probably went through a stage of being very self-conscious – most likely in our teenage years. It can be very traumatic to get up and be the centre of everyone’s attention. I suffered this as a 9-year-old. It wouldn’t happen today but every week our teacher would make us one at a time stand on our seats and do mental arithmetic in front of the class. As a result, I hated maths and feared being the centre of attention and no wonder – what a cruel thing to do to anyone – can you imagine how it felt to be wrong? Sometimes at Theatretrain, we meet new students who are very anxious. You ..read more

Over the years I have seen many performers at different venues and productions. Often people don’t stand out because they are part of a team and they are careful not to overbalance what everyone else is doing. But there are some performers whose talent is so powerful but you feel in the presence of something special. In this category, I am recalling three people. Firstly Paul McCartney. He seems a very modest superstar – down to earth and connected with everyone. He has been performing since the mid-1950s and is still delivering sell-out performances in sets that last nearly three hours. Nearl ..read more

In a world where the boundaries between the glitter of Hollywood and the pressing issues of our planet blur, one figure stands out: Leonardo DiCaprio. Yes, the very same who captivated millions with his roles in epic tales like “Titanic,” has embarked on a real-life quest that surpasses any of his cinematic endeavours. This journey? To become a stalwart defender of our Earth. Leonardo DiCaprio’s transformation from a celebrated actor to an environmental champion is a narrative that captivates and inspires. It’s a tale that begins with an epiphany about the impact of luxury on the planet an ..read more

In the Sunday Times last week the reality TV star Gemma Collins, wrote of her experiences aged 12 when she went away with Theatretrain to perform in the Czech Republic. She explained it as the shock of her life and remembered saying, “Get me out of here it’s disgusting.” She said the sink fell off the wall and there was an awful orange and brown carpet and the food was indescribably bad.” Now I’ve always had a regard for Gemma ever since she was a pupil because she is a one-off. You either like her or loath her and she’s ok with that. She is what she is and always has been and speaks her mind ..read more

Have you ever marvelled at the resilience of certain individuals who, after facing failure, bounce back with the grace of a well-executed stage performance? Let’s delve into a captivating narrative that parallels the dramatic ups and downs of life with the world of performing arts, epitomised by the remarkable journey of Ben Platt. In a universe where dramatic pauses and soaring high notes are treasured as much as precious metals, Ben Platt emerged not just as a performer but as a beacon of resilience and adaptability. Picture a knight, not in shining armour, but under the spotlight, wielding ..read more

In a world where the boundaries between the glitter of Hollywood and the pressing issues of our planet blur, one figure stands out: Leonardo DiCaprio. Yes, the very same who captivated millions with his roles in epic tales like “Titanic,” has embarked on a real-life quest that surpasses any of his cinematic endeavours. This journey? To become a stalwart defender of our Earth. Leonardo DiCaprio’s transformation from a celebrated actor to an environmental champion is a narrative that captivates and inspires. It’s a tale that begins with an epiphany about the impact of luxury on the planet and ev ..read more