After successful spells in the West End with Jungle Rumble and Magical Merlin, Perform Productions is back this year with an entire festival of children’s theatre. Running in Bloomsbury’s Coram’s Fields, Perform in the Park features four musicals (including two original productions). We caught up with Perform Principal, Lucy Quick to hear all about it.
Perform has been running brilliant drama classes since 2000. Have you always intended to branch out into producing too?
Thank you that’s so kind. My background pre Perform was as an actress in musical theatre. My first job was in the ensemble of Oliver at the London Palladium for Cameron Mackintosh (which is where I first started working with children). My business partner Will was a Musical Director so for us it’s wonderful to combine our 2 careers in one by producing musicals for children. My mum will tell you that I’ve been putting on shows since I was about 2 years old!!
We thought it was a great idea to adapt your end-of-term productions for the West End last year. What was the reaction like from the children who attend your classes?
It’s been incredible! The children adore watching a professional cast perform ‘their shows’ (and we get lots of feedback). We often have Perform Teachers (who are all actors) as part of the cast too so they love seeing them on stage.
Have you also had lots of children signing up for classes off the back of the West End shows?
Yes – we’ve met so many new children who came to see Jungle Rumble and Magical Merlin who are now attending our workshops each week.
You’ve gone even bigger this year. What made you decide to put on an entire children’s theatre festival?
We have always wanted to present a bigger programme of shows, but the opportunity to do it in Coram’s Fields where you can go and watch a show and then spend the rest of the day in the sand pit, paddling pool and using the zip wire, seemed so perfect! We want to introduce children to excellent theatre from a young age with ticket prices that are accessible.
You have four different shows running at Perform in the Park. Which are you most excited for and why? (We’re big Elephant and Piggie fans in this household so are delighted that you’re doing a stage adaptation!)
It’s a very tricky question. I love them all and they’re all so different!
What’s next for Perform?
We want to keep producing high quality children’s theatre. My business partner Will has a lot of new shows he wants to write so watch this space for Perform in the Park 2024!!
Perform in the Park plays at Coram’s Fields from 28 July to 28 August 2023. Find out more and get tickets at www.performinthepark.uk.
To learn more about Perform’s drama classes for ages 4 -12 (including summer holiday courses) head to www.perform.org.uk. These classes very much come with The Family Stage seal of approval. The munchkins have done a lot of them over the years!