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Courtesy of
Dave Gooderham (East Anglian Daily Times, April 16th,
2005)
'As
a former member of the
Suffolk Young People's Theatre, Catherine
McDonald's love of the theatre is deeply rooted
in the region. But she is now preparing to take
on the big guns and sharp opinions at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival after writing,
producing and directing a musical based on the
timeless classic
Peter Pan.
The
former Thurston Community College pupil is
preparing to face the wrath of hard-hitting
judges at the world famous festival. The
21-year-old said: "We were very lucky to get a
two-week run at the Edinburgh Festival. We are
hoping we will get good reviews and maybe even
an award or two
"The musical just kind of
happened. I started writing a couple of songs a
few years ago and it just spiralled out of
control. ,I never really intended to write
a musical about Peter Pan as I usually only
write completely original ideas. But it has been
quite refreshing to do something filled with
magic and adventure.
"I want to carry on writing and
hopefully carve out a career in musical theatre.
I do love performing as well, but at the moment
I am just happy doing both."
Although the Birmingham. University drama
student's love of the theatre started in primary
school, her passion grew
as a member of the Suffolk Young People's
Theatre and the Bury St Edmunds-based
Irving Stage Company.
Miss McDonald, who cited famous
East Anglian singer Ruthie Henshall as her idol,
said: "I started off doing ballet and I can
remember watching and listening to Jesus
Christ Superstar all the time when I was
about six years old. It is really something Y
that has always been part of my life."
She spent almost two years
writing the musical Never Land with
fellow university student Erica Reed, which will
debut at the festival in August.
"It is a musical based on
Peter Pan for children and adults. We have
tried to make it a family show, but it is also
quite serious at times," said Miss McDonald.
"It is very much based on the
traditional story with all the different
adventures associated with the classic."
All the proceeds from the
musical will go to the Great Ormond Street
Hospital -
after Peter Pan
author JM Barrie gave it the copyright of the
children's classic.
But Miss McDonald said if any
company would like to help sponsor the musical,
they can contact her on
kit-chief@yahoo.co.uk.
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