BIG SOCIETY THE MUSICAL Set for From Page to Stage Festival; Special Screening, Q&A Offered 13 Feb

Aria Entertainment and the Landor Theatre as part of the annual From Page to Stage festival have announced a preview screening of Big Society the Musical alongside a special Q&A with the creative team on Thursday 13th February as part of this years festival.

Katy Lipson Producer of the season of new musicals said "I wanted to find something to present which was unexpected at this years season. When I came across the film 'Big Society The Musical' I knew I had to invite the producers down to screen some scenes and also present a Q & A about their creative choices, developmental process and opinion on the musical genre."

A surreal and gritty musical set against the backdrop of the UK economic cuts. Big Society The Musical takes the action of austerity protest marches and the spectacle of a west end musical and weaves in a personal story of finding a voice. It is social politics set to music, hard hitting and authentic, lifted with the help of a little northern British humor.

Linda is a strong woman in her late 40s who works with young offenders. Facing unemployment and the pending closure of her Youth Centre, Linda thinks only of Connor, a defiant 14-year-old who has no one apart from her. Linda risks her relationship, her home and her reputation to help him. But as she fights for control, she realizes she has none. When no one hears you shout... Sing!

The film tells its story through 14 strong original musical numbers which range from hundreds of singing community members chanting down a street through to intimate and touching duets on a tall ship. The film embodies the everyday, from OAP's singing on allotments to female impersonators in smokey cabaret clubs, this improvised piece provides a familiar and 'real' look at the big society.

Big Society the Musical is Directed by Lynne Harwood, Produced by Jennifer Monks & Nicola Mitchell, with music written by Andy Frizell. The screenplay is written by Jan Brown, Ann Monks, Paula Simms, Lynne Harwood, Jennifer Monks, Cath Bore, Charlie Kelly whilst Director of Photography is Jane Farley. The principal cast are Paula Simms, Jennifer John, Paul Wise, Errol Lloyd Parry, Joe Maddocks and Shaun McKenna.

From Page To Stage is a season of new musical theatre dedicated to the showcasing of work in development to an audience, to garner feedback and create new opportunities for the artistes involved. Which will take place from 10th February until 9th March 2014 for a dedicated four-week period.

From Page To Stage has also been awarded an Arts Council grant to support the 2014 programme of work.