Post by carol on Mar 1, 2013 23:17:50 GMT
Interview with Gareth, what great plans he has. Enjoy! ;D
love carol xxx
When Gareth Gates takes to the stage in his home city later this month, he will be joined by youngsters from the performing arts school he set up here.
The Gates&Wilkes Academy, which Gareth opened with musical theatre star Jonathan Wilkes, offers classes for five to 18-year-olds in singing, dancing and acting. It is based at Dixons City Academy, where Gareth was a pupil and showed early promise in the school choir.
Gareth is currently touring in Boogie Nights, a concert version of the Seventies musical, and has arranged for children from his academy to appear in the show. They will join Gareth and the Osmonds, singers Andy Abraham and Chico, former EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton and Shane Richie Junior.
“It will be a great opportunity for them, it makes it all worthwhile,” says Gareth. “I set the academy up to give kids a chance up here. We don’t do auditions, it’s not exclusive. It’s about giving them chance to learn new skills, build confidence and get some experience of performing on stage.
“It was my way of giving something back to Bradford, where it all began for me.”
Gareth will also be joined by youngsters from the academy at Bingley Arts Centre, where he has an acoustic concert planned for May.
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..“I’m doing a few smaller venues, easing myself back into it. I’ll be showcasing some of my new songs,” he says. “I love musical theatre, and I’ve been fortunate to have jumped from show to show over the last few years, but I want to continue as a recording artist too. I see my career from now on being a mix of theatre and recording.”
In Boogie Nights he plays hearthrob Dean, the best friend of central character Roddy, played by Shane Richie Junior. “Shane Richie created the original show, and played Roddy, so it’s a nice touch having his son play the role this time around,” says Gareth. “It’s a concert version of the musical, with bits of dialogue tying it all together. The main thing is the music, the big hits of the Seventies, which get everyone up on their feet from the start.”
With hits like Boogie Wonderland, Love Train, Disco Inferno and We Are Family, the show is a celebration of the disco era. “The costumes take a bit of getting used to - my main outfit is a lime green striped flared suit, it’s not something I’d be seen out in!” laughs Gareth, who takes on the role of the “missing Osmond brother” when he joins Jimmy, Merrill and Jay Osmond for a performance of Puppy Love. “It’s a great party atmosphere; there are lots of Osmond fans coming along, and younger people too.”
Now a father to daughter Missy, Gareth has come a long way since he was the shy teenager from East Bowling who captured the nation’s hearts on ITV’s Pop Idol.
He went on to sell 3.5 million records, including four No. 1 singles, and more recently has carved a career in musical theatre, starring in shows such as Les Miserables, Legally Blonde and Loserville.
He remains a Bradford lad at heart. “When City got to Wembley I spoke to my dad who was on his way down there. I really wanted to be there but I’m on tour - I was in Swansea that day! The audience gave me a big cheer that night,” he says. “City did us proud just getting there, things like that really bring Bradford people together.”
Boogie Nights is at St George’s Hall on Friday, March 22. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.
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love carol xxx
When Gareth Gates takes to the stage in his home city later this month, he will be joined by youngsters from the performing arts school he set up here.
The Gates&Wilkes Academy, which Gareth opened with musical theatre star Jonathan Wilkes, offers classes for five to 18-year-olds in singing, dancing and acting. It is based at Dixons City Academy, where Gareth was a pupil and showed early promise in the school choir.
Gareth is currently touring in Boogie Nights, a concert version of the Seventies musical, and has arranged for children from his academy to appear in the show. They will join Gareth and the Osmonds, singers Andy Abraham and Chico, former EastEnders actress Louisa Lytton and Shane Richie Junior.
“It will be a great opportunity for them, it makes it all worthwhile,” says Gareth. “I set the academy up to give kids a chance up here. We don’t do auditions, it’s not exclusive. It’s about giving them chance to learn new skills, build confidence and get some experience of performing on stage.
“It was my way of giving something back to Bradford, where it all began for me.”
Gareth will also be joined by youngsters from the academy at Bingley Arts Centre, where he has an acoustic concert planned for May.
.
..“I’m doing a few smaller venues, easing myself back into it. I’ll be showcasing some of my new songs,” he says. “I love musical theatre, and I’ve been fortunate to have jumped from show to show over the last few years, but I want to continue as a recording artist too. I see my career from now on being a mix of theatre and recording.”
In Boogie Nights he plays hearthrob Dean, the best friend of central character Roddy, played by Shane Richie Junior. “Shane Richie created the original show, and played Roddy, so it’s a nice touch having his son play the role this time around,” says Gareth. “It’s a concert version of the musical, with bits of dialogue tying it all together. The main thing is the music, the big hits of the Seventies, which get everyone up on their feet from the start.”
With hits like Boogie Wonderland, Love Train, Disco Inferno and We Are Family, the show is a celebration of the disco era. “The costumes take a bit of getting used to - my main outfit is a lime green striped flared suit, it’s not something I’d be seen out in!” laughs Gareth, who takes on the role of the “missing Osmond brother” when he joins Jimmy, Merrill and Jay Osmond for a performance of Puppy Love. “It’s a great party atmosphere; there are lots of Osmond fans coming along, and younger people too.”
Now a father to daughter Missy, Gareth has come a long way since he was the shy teenager from East Bowling who captured the nation’s hearts on ITV’s Pop Idol.
He went on to sell 3.5 million records, including four No. 1 singles, and more recently has carved a career in musical theatre, starring in shows such as Les Miserables, Legally Blonde and Loserville.
He remains a Bradford lad at heart. “When City got to Wembley I spoke to my dad who was on his way down there. I really wanted to be there but I’m on tour - I was in Swansea that day! The audience gave me a big cheer that night,” he says. “City did us proud just getting there, things like that really bring Bradford people together.”
Boogie Nights is at St George’s Hall on Friday, March 22. For tickets ring (01274) 432000.
.
How wonderful that Gareth's students from the Gates& Wilkes Academy will be performing in Boogie Nights when it comes to Bradford. I will look forward to seeing them.
