Further Inspirations...

After considering my inspirations within the world of musical theatre, I found it interesting that one of my biggest inspirations doesn't actually fit into a category as a singer or dancer, and yet he has probably had more influence over me than anything else.

When I was three years old my Mum took me to see a stage production of Beauty and the Beast and I was mesmerised from beginning to end (She takes great pleasure in telling this tale) but as the curtain closed to mark the interval, I turned to her and said 'Mummy, what do I have to do to be on the stage?'

...and that was it. From that moment my whole life revolved around fulfilling my three year old dream. I have never wanted anything else and all of my after school clubs, hobbies and time went on either dance class or singing lessons or rehearsals for a show.

And what captured me at three, like it does so many children? The music. The music used in disney films has captured the heart of children all over the world for decades and like so many, I was brought up on disney films, and more importantly, music written by Alan Menken. His scores for animations such as 'Beauty and the Beast', 'The Little Mermaid', 'Hercules', 'Aladdin' and 'Pocahontas' have had children fixated and more importantly singing along word for word since they were released and they are still loved now. As a self confessed disney fan, I can't watch a disney film without commenting on the wonderful score and how amazing the music would sound in a theatre with a live orchestra, and this has been proven to be true, as ''Aladdin', 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame' ,The Little Mermaid' and 'Beauty and the Beast' have all been released in theatres. 

There is such a fine line between disney and musical theatre. Menken works along side Tim rice, who is also Andrew Lloyd Webber's right hand man. As well as Menken having written the scores for numerous stage shows such as 'Little Shop of Horrors', 'Newsies' and 'Sister Act'.

As a childrens entertainer I am constantly amazed by the knowledge young children have about the characters in these films. When I turn up to a party I always make sure I do my homework first because there are always character related questions and there is always another child that knows the answer!

Alan Menken inspires generations of children to love music and to sing. But what I find most interesting is why this suddenly seems to become 'uncool' as we grow up. If you create a generation of children who love disney (i'm generalising but most kids do) what is the age where singing and musicals become unacceptable? I found out pretty early on in primary school that singing or being in a choir was not deemed 'cool' and I ended up going to a high school that specialised in the arts because my passion wouldn't have been accepted elsewhere. Why are the kids that play instruments, or go to school band, or choir considered the 'geeky' ones? We all grew up on the same stuff right?

I would love to hear other peoples thoughts and experiences!

LL x