presents

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Book, Music & Lyrics By Elliot Davis & James Bourne

With Chris Tierney Isabella Chapman

Harry Tunningley James Harris Jake Collis Tom Nicoll Daisy Greenwood Fraser McLauchlan William Hackett

Amy Seymour Yasmin Sharp Alice Tunningley Charlotte Tofts Rebecca Hunt Katie Galley Isobel Pearce Faye Broadbent Alice Rydzik

Ollie Such Emily Birt Ciaran Brewer Matthew Brewer Poppy Fisher Jenni Hunt Emily McNeill

Mia Nichols Charli Piper Ben Rolph Maddie Smith Louisa Turnbull

Director Cathy Court

Assistant Director Rhianna Howard

Musical Director Thomas Duchan

Originally produced on the West End stage by T C Beech This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe)

All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk

Witham Operatic Workshop! 13-18th February 2017

Witham Public Hall

About the show It is 1971 and Michael Dork is 17. They call him nerd, geek, slacker. Socially marginalised by the entire school (except by his buddies Lucas, Marvin and Francis) and constantly picked on by Eddie, the coolest boy in school. Michael is desperate to find his ticket outta loserville and is convinced he can get computers talking to one another.

Michael has also discovered a girl, Holly, a prospect (almost) as exciting as his love of binary. If only he had the courage to talk to her! Perhaps things haven't changed that much after all! Chaos ensues when Eddie decides to interfere and blackmail Michael’s friends so that he can impress his father. Will he get his way, or will our band of misfits crack the code in time and save the day? You will have to watch and see..!

Loserville takes geek to a whole new rock-pop level! Nominated for an Olivier Award for Best New Musical in 2013 and many more accolades, Loserville is based on the groundbreaking album "Welcome to Loserville" from the band Son of Dork.

Graham Green - President Dear WOW! Supporter,

Welcome to Loserville, a place of nerds, hard drives and romance.

Loserville was created, produced and performed by Youth Music Theatre UK in 2009 and is written by Essex born James Bourne of pop group Busted and Elliot Davis. Bourne is a patron of YMT as is Ed Sheeran.

As ever the cast have worked really hard to bring you their usual high standard of performance, I would also take this opportunity to thank all those involved with this production, many of whom you will never see.

The main aim of WOW! is to provide a place where young people can experience the magic of musical theatre and we remain the only Witham based group to do this. Over the last twenty years we have had many scores of children that have achieved their aim of performing on stage to their highest ability, long may it continue!

Chris Tierney - 17 Michael Dork

First WOW! Show: Grease

Past Roles: Sonny in Grease, Mr

Pressman in Our House & Mr Shalford in Half a

Sixpence Fave Musical:

Gypsy Technology you can’t

live without: My phone, because it contains my entire life

& my music!

Isabella Chapman - 17 Holly Manson

First WOW! Show: Our House Training:

Imagination School of Dance & Pixie Lott’s

Italia Conti Fave Musical:

Beautiful Fave Loserville

Character: Holly, I love her

determination & she always stays true to

herself

Harry Tunningley - 14 Lucas Lloyd

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Past Roles: Oliver in Oliver! (UK

Tour), Bruce & Tommy in Matilda (West End),

Buggins in Half a Sixpence (WOW!)

Fave Musical: Sunny Afternoon

Hobbies: Dancing, piano,

acrobatics & parkour

James Harris - 16 Francis Weir

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence Fave Musical:

Parade Technology you can’t

live without: YouTube, it allows you

to watch videos of people you wouldn’t normally get to see!

Fave Loserville Character:

Ivanka & Marina - they know great English!

Jake Collis - 17 Marvin Camden

First WOW! Show: Our House

Fave Musical: Avenue Q or In the

Heights Training:

I have learnt to say Pi to 28 places (it works as the show says it does!)

Fave Loserville Moment:

The Star Wars puns - I love puns & the

commitment to them in this show is incredible!

Tom Nicoll - 14 Eddie Arch

First WOW! Show: Grease

Fave Musical: Hamilton

Dream Musical Role: Javert in Les Misérables

Fave Musical Star: Lin Manuel Miranda

Fave Invention: The Enigma machine

because it was a portable & efficient way

to break the Enigma code

Daisy Greenwood - 16 Leia Dawkins

First WOW! Show: Loserville

Best WOW! Memory: Being made so

welcome when I joined! Fave Musical: In The Heights

Plans for the Future: To work in Musical

Theatre Fave Song in Loserville: “Sick” - I get to show a really different side to

my character

Fraser McLauchlan - 12 Huey Phillips

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Best WOW! Memory: Singing at Woodland

View Care Home for my Grandad Hobbies:

Guitar, football & ju-jitsu

Fave Loserville Character:

Lucas because I think it’s really funny that

he’s writing Star Wars

William Hackett - 12 Wayne Pagoda

First WOW! Show: Loserville

Dream Musical Role: Miss Trunchbull in Matilda

Hobbies: I’ve started learning to

play guitar so I can write songs in the future

Fave Song in Loserville: “What’s So Weird About Me?” because it is fun to

sing and involves the whole company

Amy Seymour - 18 Samantha Powden First WOW! Show:

The Boy Friend Fave Musical:

RENT Fave Musical Star:

Will Chase Dream Musical Role:

Mimi in RENT Fave Invention:

The mobile phone Hobbies:

Travelling, cooking and learning french

Yasmin Sharp - 16 Elaine Friend

First WOW! Show: Loserville

Fave Musical: Hamilton

Dream Musical Role: Veronica in Heathers

Training: Studying a Level 3 BTEC

in Musical Theatre Fave Loserville

Character: Elaine, everyone thinks

she’s dumb but she proves them wrong!

Alice Tunningley - 17 Ivanka

First WOW! Show: Footloose

Past Roles: Patty in Grease, Billie in

Our House & Kate in Half a Sixpence

Training: Imagination School of

Dance & Centre of Advanced Training in

London Plans for the Future: I’d like to do a dance

course at Laine or Bird

Charlotte Tofts - 18 Marina

First WOW! Show: West Side Story Fave Musical:

Ghost Past Roles:

Fay in The Boy Friend & Ann in Half a Sixpence

Fave Song in Loserville: “What’s So Weird About Me?” suits my character

so that’s my favourite Plans for the future:

To go to university & be a primary school teacher

Becky Hunt - 16 Convention Announcer

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Past Roles: Mabel Washington in FAME, Enid Hoops in

Legally Blonde Fave Musical: In The Heights

Fave Musical Stars: Rachel Tucker, Sutton Foster & Gavin Creel Dream Musical Role:

Nina in In The Heights

Katie Galley - 18 Susie McAlpine

First WOW! Show: Footloose

Past Roles: Shop Girl in Half a

Sixpence, Postulant in The Sound of Music,

Louisa in The Fantasticks Fave Musical:

Hamilton Dream Musical Role: The Witch in Into the

Woods Fave Musical Star: Ramin Karimloo

Isobel Pearce - 15 Davina

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Best WOW! Memory: Opening night of Half a

Sixpence Fave Musical:

Wicked Fave Musical Star:

Charlie Stemp Fave Loserville Song:

“We’re Not Alone” because the harmonies

sound lovely!

Faye Broadbent - 17 Duvante & Dance Captain

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence Fave Musical:

Hamilton Dream Musical Role:

Roxy in Chicago Plans for the Future:

I hope to study a Classics degree at Cambridge

University and then have a career in arts

journalism

Alice Rydzik - 17 Britney & Dance Captain

First WOW! Show: Our House

Previous Roles: Flo in Half a Sixpence,

Laker Girl in Spamalot & Show Girl in The

Producers Training:

Currently studying A levels & having singing

and dance lessons Dream Musical Role:

Flo in Half a Sixpence in the West End

Ollie Such - 12 Principal

First WOW! Show: Loserville Training:

Grade 4 singing and grade 3 guitar

Hobbies: Cricket, hockey and

watching football Plans for the Future:

When I leave school I’d like to pursue my

dreams of music and drama or sport

Emily Birt - 15 Adult Voices

First WOW! Show: Our House

Best WOW! Memory: Times spent rehearsing

and singing with my friends

Fave Invention: Batteries - they have made mobile phones, remote controls and

cars possible! Hobbies:

Reading, playing piano and ukulele

Ciaran Brewer - 20 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Best WOW! Memory: The 20th Anniversary

concert because we got to meet past members

and celebrate WOW! Fave Musical:

Aladdin Fave Loserville

Character: Lucas - like me he is

geeky and likes to write scripts

Matthew Brewer - 16 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Loserville

Fave Musical: The Book of Mormon Plans for the Future:

Go to university to do a film course and

hopefully become a film director

Fave Song in Loserville: “What’s So Weird About

Me?” Fave Invention:

The Mobile Phone

Poppy Fisher - 13 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Hobbies: Playing the piano and

the flute Favourite Musical:

Les Misérables Dream Musical Role:

Fantine in Les Misérables

Fave Song in Loserville: “Ticket Outta Loserville”

it is so energetic and enjoyable to perform

Jenni Hunt - 14 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Grease

Best WOW! Memory: The last night of Our House was soo fun! Favourite Musicals: Hairspray & Wicked Dream Musical Role:

Eponine in Les Misérables

Fave Loserville Character:

Elaine, she’s funny & does what Leia says!

Louisa Turnbull - 15 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Best WOW! Memory: Summer school 2016

Fave Musical: Les Misérables

Plans for the Future: When I leave school I

want to study directing at university

Fave Loserville Character:

Holly - she is unique and follows her dreams

Ben Rolph - 14 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Grease

Best WOW! Memory: Dressing up as a dog

for Our House! Fave Musical:

Les Misérables Fave Song in Loserville:

“We’re Not Alone” Plans for the Future:

To become a P.E. teacher

Fave Invention: The iPad

Emily McNeill - 12 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Loserville

Fave Musical: Wicked

Plans for the Future: I’d like to be a Primary

School Teacher Fave Invention:

The iPhone, I like to keep up with social media, all the time!

Fave Loserville Character:

Elaine, she is so bubbly

Mia Nichols - 12 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Half a Sixpence

Best WOW! Memory: Playing Young Ann in

Half a Sixpence Fave Musical: A Chorus Line Fave Invention:

WiFi - it keeps me up to date with the news

Hobbies: Ballet, I just passed grade 4 and started

pointe

Charli Piper -13 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Loserville

Fave Musical: Cats

Hobbies: Reading, reading &

more reading! Fave Loserville Scene:

The Sci-Fi convention, it is just SO geeky! Fave Invention:

Definitely the Kindle, because technology +

reading = YAY!

Maddie Smith - 12 Ensemble

First WOW! Show: Loserville

Best WOW! Memory: Summer school 2016

Hobbies: Swimming & basketball

Fave Loserville Character: Samantha Fave Tech

Breakthrough: The phone - it’s really

easy to use!

Creative Team

Rhianna Howard - Assistant Director Rhianna is a past member of WOW! and performed in a number of productions, playing roles such as; ‘Sharpay' in High School Musical, ‘Factory Girl 4’ in Les Misérables and, more recently, ‘Jan’ in Grease. After graduating from university and moving back to Witham, Rhianna immersed herself in local amateur theatre once again. She has been a committee member with WOW! since 2014 and performed in shows with WAOS and Witham Music Theatre. Last summer Rhianna completed a Directing course at NODA Summer School. Since then she directed WOW!'s 20th Anniversary Concert and assistant directed Rock of Ages with Witham Music Theatre. Rhianna has had a very enjoyable time working on Loserville with such a talented group of young people and thanks Cathy and Thomas for their guidance over the past 6 months.

Thomas Duchan - Musical Director

Thomas read music at the University of Chichester focusing on piano with Jonathan Plowright and Terence Allbright, conducting with Crispin Ward and Arthur Robson and singing with Susan Legg and Ian Baar. Thomas then returned to the University of Chichester as an associate lecturer for Music and Musical Theatre. Credits as an accompanist, copyist/ music preparation, chorus master, musical assistant and musical director: Sweeney Todd (Chichester Festival Theatre 2011), The King And I (New Victoria Theatre, Woking 2011), Charlie And The Chocolate Factory - The New Musical (Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 2013), The Girls - A New Musical By Gary Barlow And Tim Firth (Workshop 2014), Before The Dawn - The Official Kate Bush Tour (2014), Gypsy (Chichester Festival Theatre/Savoy Theatre 2015), A Damsel In Distress (Chichester Festival Theatre 2015), The Smallest Show On Earth (Mercury Theatre 2015), Funny Girl (Menier Chocolate Factory 2015), Travels With My Aunt (Chichester Festival Theatre 2016), This Little Life Of Mine (Park Theatre, Finsbury Park 2016).

Cathy Court - Director

Cathy trained at Arts Educational School, Tring and Laine Theatre Arts before pursuing a career teaching classical ballet, modern theatre, tap and national dance full time in dance studios and vocational dance colleges. She is currently studying part time at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance for a Level 6 Diploma in Dance Teaching and Learning. Cathy has been involved in musical theatre with WAOS for many years and has enjoyed performing, choreographing and directing a wide range of shows. Previously with WOW! she has directed Bugsy Malone and The Boy Friend along with a number of summer concerts. She would like to thank Thomas, Rhianna, the WOW! committee and everyone involved behind the scenes for their endless hard work and support. Cathy has really enjoyed the opportunity of working with the cast of Loserville who are a wonderful group of hard working and talented young performers who bring enthusiasm and energy to rehearsals and she hopes you enjoy their performance.

CastMichael Dork Chris Tierney Holly Manson Isabella Chapman Lucas Lloyd Harry Tunningley Francis Weir James Harris Marvin Camden Jake Collis Eddie Arch Tom Nicoll Leia Dawkins Daisy Greenwood Huey Phillips Fraser McLauchlan Wayne Pagoda Will Hackett Samantha Powden Amy Seymour Elaine Friend Yasmin Sharp Ivanka Alice Tunningley Marina Charlotte Tofts Convention Announcer Becky Hunt Susie McAlpine Katie Galley Davina Isobel Pearce Duvante Faye Broadbent Britney Alice Rydzik Principal Ollie Such Adult Voices Emily Birt

Ensemble Ciaran Brewer, Matthew Brewer, Poppy Fisher, Jenni Hunt, Emily McNeill, Mia Nichols, Charli Piper, Ben Rolph, Maddie Smith, Louisa Turnbull

BandMusical Director & Keys 1 Thomas Duchan Keys 2 Sue Long Guitar 1 James Stirling Guitar 2 James Maltby Bass Rob Watson Drums Paul Codling

Production TeamDirector Cathy Court Assistant Director Rhianna Howard Production Manager Kath Adkins Stage Manager David Hunt Assistant Stage Manager Gemma Gray Stage Crew Graham Green, Dean Hirst, Keith Radley Set Design Ed Court, Cathy Court Scenery Event Sound & Light, Gemma Gray, Graham Green, David Hunt, Paul Lazell Lighting Kai Wright Lighting Assistant Casey Khan-Cudmore

Sound Jason Fenn Properties Managers Lydia Clough, Judy Fishwick Properties Design Gemma Gray Wardrobe Team Anne Howe, Sue Rogers, Alison Carlyle, Debbie Stirling Costumes The Dressing Up Box, The Society, Ron Howe Make Up Liz Watson Make Up Assistants Matilda Bourne, Shelley Moore Prompt Janet Hawkes Box Office Manager Janice Hawkes Front of House Manager Debbie Rolph Publicity Manager Donna Goddard Publicity Team Olivia Bentley, Matilda Bourne, Gemma Gray, Rhianna Howard Photography Matilda Bourne Programme Rhianna Howard Bar Manager Ron Howe

Act 1Living in the Future Company L

Don’t Let ‘Em Bring You Down Michael, Lucas, Francis & Marvin L

Little Things (Pre-Reprise) Holly L

Brains and Looks Holly, Eddie, Huey, Wayne, Leia, Elaine & Michael L

Slacker Company L

Brains and Looks (Reprise) Samantha L

Little Things Michael, Lucas, Francis, Marvin & Company L

Don’t Let ‘Em Bring You Down (Reprise) Lucas, Marvin, Francis & Michael L

Slacker (Reprise) Eddie L

We’re Not Alone Holly, Michael & Company L

Ticket Outta Loserville Company

Act 2We’re Not Alone (Reprise) Convention Announcer & Company L

Holly…I’m The One Lucas L

Long Run Holly L

What’s So Weird About Me? Company L

Holly…I’m The One (Reprise) Michael L

Sick Holly, Lucas, Leia, Michael & Company L

Genius Michael, Holly & Company L

We’re Not Alone (Reprise 2) Company L

Ticket Outta Loserville (Finale) Company L

Slacker (Finale) Company

The Helen Temperley Award After the Saturday night performance we shall be awarding one of our cast members the Helen Temperley Memorial Award. The award was first presented in 2013 after being created in Helen’s memory. The winner will be the member of WOW! who embodies the positive qualities that Helen exhibited, namely loyalty, hard work and selfless commitment while maintaining a great sense of fun and enjoyment. Previous Winners: 2013 - Michael Watling 2014 - Charlotte Watling 2015 - Ed Tunningley 2016 - Charlotte Tofts

National Operatic & Dramatic Association WOW! is proud to be affiliated with NODA. Founded in 1899, NODA is the leading representative body

for amateur theatre in the UK. The Association has a membership of approximately 2400 amateur theatre groups and over 2000 individual members staging musicals, operas, plays, concerts and

pantomimes at a wide variety of venues ranging from the country’s leading professional theatres to village halls. NODA Aims: To give a shared voice to amateur theatre. To help societies and

individuals achieve the highest standards of best practice and performance. To provide leadership and advice to enable amateur theatre to tackle the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. WOW! was recently awarded the Best Youth Production Award 2015 (District 11, NODA East) for its production of ‘Our House’. We have also received nominations for Best Youth Production for last

year’s show ‘Half a Sixpence’ and Dexter Montgomery, who played Chitterlow has been nominated for Best Young Performer. We find out the results in April!

North Essex Theatre Guild WOW! is also a long standing member of NETG. NETG aim to help amateur dramatic groups in

Essex by adjudicating shows to give professional comments on the quality of local shows. They also stage a One Act Play festival to encourage group integration and host an annual Awards Evening to

credit exceptional performances throughout the year. The last awards evening took place in September and WOW! received 5 nominations for our 2016 show ‘Half a Sixpence’. On the night WOW! was the joint winner of the Adjudicator’s Award for the singing and dancing of the Shop Boys and Girls and Jake Collis was joint winner of the Best Young

Actor Award for his portrayal of Arthur Kipps.

About Us! Witham Operatic Workshop! is an award-winning musical youth theatre group based in Witham,

Essex. Our talented & enthusiastic performers’ ages range from 11 to 21. WOW! is the junior section of Witham Amateur Operatic Society (WAOS, registered charity number 265029) & has been

performing a variety of challenging & outstanding musical theatre productions every year since 1996. WOW! was founded by Nicholas Clough after the huge success of WAOS’ Oliver! that saw over 90 children audition. He concluded that there was a demand for a theatre group for young people in Witham & set about making it a success! Nick sadly passed away in 2015 but his legacy lives on

through the passion seen in all of WOW!’s members and those that work tirelessly behind the scenes. WOW! is committed to ensuring that our productions are accessible for as many young people as

possible and our audition panel all agree to cast as diversely and inclusively as they can. We perform one full length show a year & we hope you will join us for our 2018 offering ‘CATS’! Prospective members are warmly welcomed at our spring & summer workshops, our summer

school weeks in August & for auditions in September each year. If you’d like any further information please contact our chairman, Stewart Adkins (07775 672547, wow.chairman@wow.org.uk)

The Society’s grateful thanks are extended to: - Those involved with box office, stewarding, programme and raffle

ticket selling - Those involved with the bar - Those involved with chaperoning - Those involved backstage and with transportation- Those who have helped with publicity banners and boards- Dressing Up Box for the use of their costumes - Solopress for printing the publicity material and programmes - ? for producing the publicity banners- Montrose T C for the roadside boards- Witham Dramatic Club for the use of the raised seating - ? at the Public Hall - Spring Lodge and the Public Hall for the use of their rehearsal facilities- All those who helped in the supply of props including Asda for the use of a

trolley - Matilda Bourne for taking the publicity and dress rehearsal photographs - Essex County Council and the Witham Visitor Information Centre for permission to display photographs- The RAFA Club, Cofunds and The Railway Tavern for allowing us to display banners

Previous Productions1996 - Joseph and the Amazing 2006 - Fame Technicolor Dreamcoat 2007 - A Knight to Remember 1997 - West Side Story 2008 - High School Musical 1998 - Annie 2009 - Les Misérables 1999 - The Boy Friend 2010 - Hot Mikado 2000 - 42nd Street 2011 - West Side Story 2001 - The Wiz 2012 - Footloose 2002 - Bugsy Malone 2013 - The Boy Friend 2003 - Oliver! 2014 - Grease 2004 - Crazy For You 2015 - Our House 2005 - Little Shop of Horrors 2016 - Half a Sixpence

WOW! Committee President Graham Green Chairman Stewart Adkins Production Manager Kathryn Adkins Secretary Debbie Rolph Treasurer Keith Radley Publicity Manager Donna Goddard Pastoral Manager Lorraine Tierney Members Olivia Bentley, Matilda Bourne, Gemma Gray, Rhianna Howard, Steve Rogers, Sue Rogers, Gary Rolph

The Society’s grateful thanks are extended to: - Those involved with box office, stewarding, programme and raffle ticket selling - Those involved with the bar - Those involved with chaperoning - Those involved backstage and with transportation- Those who have helped us to display publicity boards- The RAFA Club, Cofunds and The Railway Tavern for allowing us to display banners - Trevor Lenoir for picking up display boards and assisting with the roadside boards- Ed Court and Emma Nash for assisting with the show’s musical direction- Dressing Up Box for the use of their costumes - Solopress for printing the publicity material and programmes - Vinyl Banners Printing for producing the publicity banners & Montrose T C for the roadside boards- Witham Dramatic Club for the use of the raised seating - Spring Lodge and the Public Hall for the use of their rehearsal facilities- All those who helped in the supply of props including Morrisons for the use of a trolley - Essex County Council, Witham Visitor Information Centre & Witham Library for permission to display photographs - Those who have freely donated window space for the display of our posters- Tony Fisher and colleagues at BBC Essex for the radio interview- St John Ambulance service for being on hand at all shows to provide assistance when needed- The Media

Anyone else who has contributed in any way to the preparation and production of this

show!

CATSA Youth Group production by arrangement with The Really Useful Group Ltd.

Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber based on ‘Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats’ by T.S. Eliot

February 12th - 17th 2018 Witham Public Hall

Box Office www.wow.org.uk

Summer School 2017

Location: Witham Public Hall, Collingwood Road, CM8 2DY L

Summer Schools are open to young people of all abilities wanting to improve performing arts skills. The total cost for the week is £125 and a £25 deposit is required to secure your place.

In memory of the founder of WOW! Nicholas Clough, we will be offering 2 bursaries to cover the full cost for those that could otherwise not attend.

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To book a place or apply for a bursary please contact Matilda Bourneemail: matilda@jrbourne.com phone: 07894 540410

A workshop based week for 8-13 year olds 7th-11th August

Daily from 9am-5pm (Classes run 10am-4pm)

A performance based week for 13-21 year olds 14th-18th August

Daily from 9am-5pm

presents

Enjoying the Show?! Contact us: wow.chairman@wow.org.uk

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/WOWWitham Follow us on Instagram @WOWWitham

Tweet us @WOWWitham using #WOWLoserville For more behind the scenes action add us on Snapchat