Star of the West End shares her experience with Perse students

5 Mar 2018

Stage star Savannah Stevenson led a musical theatre masterclass with some of The Perse’s talented singers and actors.

Savannah made her West End debut in Mary Poppins in 2004 and went on to feature in productions of Gone with the Wind and Aspects of Love.

However, her biggest role saw her play lead character Glinda in the hit musical Wicked at the Apollo Victoria Theatre from 2013 to 2016.

She opened the Perse masterclass by performing a song before listening to students individually sing numbers from musicals such as I Just Can’t Wait to Be King from The Lion King and I Get a Kick Out of You from Anything Goes.

Savannah, who has also appeared in guest roles on television series including Casualty, Holby City and Doctors, provided advice on how they could boost their performances as well as fielding questions about her career from those taking part.

She was pleased with how the masterclass went after being invited along by Perse Theatre Director in Residence Matt Hawksworth, with whom she once attended the National Youth Music Theatre.

Savannah said: “I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s been lovely meeting the students. It’s been a joy to have each one of them stand up and sing and then I was able to work it through with them, along with Mr Hawksworth. The point of it was just to try to get them to know how to approach text and then communicate it through song, as well as a few little technical things with singing.

“I was so impressed by the students’ attitude and approach. Everyone was prepared and there was a really nice atmosphere in the room.

“I know some of them are rehearsing for the production of Billy Elliot (the Musical), so I hope they can take some of the things we worked on and apply them into the show as well.”

Listen to Savannah talk about her path into acting and her advice for anyone considering a career on the stage.