The award-winning Medina Community Choir presents the new musical “Behind the Curtain”  from 9^th to 13^th August  in the Jenny Kerry Performing Arts Centre at Ryde School, benefitting two charities.

The story is centred around the on- and off-stage lives and loves of a travelling troupe of singers, Chorus-line, who tour the country rehearsing and performing whenever a backing choir is needed. Behind the Curtain includes smash hits from Broadway shows like Matilda, Rent, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, Evita, Jekyll & Hyde and Everybody’s Talking about Jamie.

The show is written and directed by Medina Community Choir director Hannah Brear and its stars include island youngsters Tom Thorne, Ella Brear, Ellie Warne and Tilly Grimshaw, backed by the choir. Accompanying are “The Orchestra of the Gods”, led by James Longford (piano) and featuring the talents of Jon Thorne (bass), JC and Kathy Grimshaw (guitar and violin) and Rufus Reader (percussion).

“We’re hoping to deliver a breathtaking show for our audiences and for our 85-strong cast,” says Hannah.

“Behind the Curtain is comic, tragic, heart-breaking, life-affirming and inspirational in equal measure and it will be raising money for two charities, The Wight Brainy Bunch (providing emotional support and financial assistance to island families affected by brain tumours) and BEAT (the UK’s Eating Disorder Charity).

“Medina Community Choir is for all ages and I wanted to give our talented young people an unforgettable experience that they’ll be able to treasure forever, before they go their separate ways now that GCSEs and A levels are over and the next exciting chapter of their life begins.”

The choir was founded by Hannah in 2006 and now has more than 100 members. As well as its popular Isle of Wight concerts, it has performed at prestigious venues including New York’s Carnegie Hall and Le Mans Cathedral and provided backing to stars including Fat Boy Slim and acclaimed tenor Russell Watson.

All ticket information and details about the choir can be found on its website: www.medinacommunitychoir.org.uk

Running from Wednesday 9th to Saturday 12th August at 7.30pm and a Sunday matinée on 13th August at 3pm, tickets for Behind the Curtain are available now at £10 each or a family ticket for £36 from the box office at mcctickets.co.uk