Costume degree student Lucy McLellan to star in Fly High Productions Rent at Hartlepool Theatre!
BA (Hons) Costume Interpretation with Design student and SU Rep Lucy McLellan will be starring in an on-stage production of Rent presented by Fly High Productions this week Friday 1st November and Saturday 2nd November at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre!
Speaking of the play Lucy describes it as an “amateur production of Rent, based on Puccini’s beloved opera La Bohème. Rent follows the ups and downs of a year in the life of a group of impoverished, artistic friends living in Manhattan’s East Village. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, struggles to find his place in the world; his roommate Roger, a HIV-positive musician, wonders how he will leave his mark before he dies.”
Characters “Mimi and Angel look for true love as they face the harsh reality of life as HIV-positive young people, while the businesslike Joanne seeks fidelity from her wild-child performance artist girlfriend Maureen. The group’s dreams, losses, and love stories weave through the musical’s narration to paint a stunningly raw and emotional portrait of the gritty bohemian world of New York City in the late 1980s, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.”
Lucy is stepping into the Role of Angel, “a drag queen who falls in love during the show” she also noted that in the Fly High Production casting has “not taken a gender specific casting process, the acting is prioritised as well as the ability to relate to the character.”
Lucy said she found out about Fly High Productions when she moved to Hartlepool and decided to take a direct approach by reaching out to the productions director; “as Rent is my favourite musical, being particularly nostalgic for me, I thought it would be fun to see how an audition would go. I emailed Theo (Collin), the company director that I was a costume student here and was willing to help costume even if not cast. Luckily, I was cast as a lead and also trusted with organising costumes.”
Speaking of taking the part she commented that her time on her degree-programme has helped; “re-entering theatre is daunting, especially when staring alongside professional actors and singers, but I learnt that I had a knowledge of staging, script and general theatre know-how simply by studying costume for theatre. My role is, in my opinion, the most fun character to play in the full show. Angel is an optimistic drag queen- who sings, dances and plays the drums, all in 6inch heels.”
She has has the opportunity to showcase her costume making skills in the production as well, commenting her character allowed her “to create drag costumes- including the wigs and makeup I have to put on in just a curtain change. In terms of costumes, the production team and Theo gave me freedom to work on my own vision for costumes, whilst also guiding me clearly on the overall look of the show. I created a poignant dress for a scene called “Contact” that involves quick changes and choreography – which was a challenge to make in a short time frame but one myself, and Isla Vasey and Rosina Cattaneo-Bower were able to take on.”
Reflecting on the overall experience so far she said “I’ve had so much fun alongside the rest of the cast – who have helped me improve my acting, singing and dancing ability, exploring the confidence it takes to take on a character like this, and in a really warm and comfortable environment.”
Lucy isn’t the only member of our community to work on the production BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen alumni and staff member Joseph Casling has also taken on a lead role in the production. Speaking of the opportunity he said “I joined the production with two weeks to go – which meant I had to dust off my musical shoes quickly! But working on the project has reminded me exactly what the northern school is all about, students, staff and artists coming together to utilise all their skills and make a magical evening of entertainment. It’s been such a lovely process and I just hope I can do it justice!”
Fly High Productions musical Rent is hitting Hartlepool Town Hall on the 1st and 2nd of November at 7pm both nights. Tickets are available both at the box office and online click this link to buy yours. To stay updated on Fly High Productions upcoming shows and workshops got to @flyhighonstage on Instagram and search Fly High Productions on Facebook.
If you are interested in studying costume at degree-level make sure you check out our dynamic and practical degree course which has seen it’s graduates carve out impressive careers in stage and screen. Find out more here.
