Music Theatre International to present celebration of junior theatre

Theatrical licensing agency Music Theatre International are to present a day-long programme at Curve, Leicester on 12 March.

The inaugural event will feature schools and youth groups from across the UK and Ireland performing excerpts from the company's specially-created Broadway Junior musicals for children. It will include Guys & Dolls, Hairspray, Once on This Island, Disney's The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. The groups will be judged by a panel which includes Lotte Wakeham, Steven Dexter, Racky Plews, Timothy Allen McDonald, Steven G Kennedy and Marty Johnson.

Participants will also take part in an afternoon Q&A session with Strictly Come Dancing winner Joanne Clifton, who is currently touring the UK in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

There will also be opportunity to participate in workshops held by the teaching artists of the West End productions of The Lion King, Matilda and Wicked.

The day's events will conclude with an awards ceremony and showcase, which is to feature a performance by a group of handpicked 'All-Star' performers chosen on the day, as well as West End stars Liam Doyle (Wicked, Mamma Mia!), Sophie Linder-Lee (Wicked, Mamma Mia!), Sam Lupton (Little Shop of Horrors) and Kayleigh McKnight (Les Misérables).

Originally concieved in 1996, Broadway Junior musicals are condensed and author-approved versions of musicals. CEO of MTI Freddie Gershon said: 'From the start, it was clear we had tapped into something, as our Broadway Junior™ titles were embraced by parents, teachers and students.'

The event will be the first of its kind MTI have held in the UK following a string of annual junior theatre celebrations held across the US and Australia.