Children’s services franchise, Stagecoach Performing Arts, has announced the launch of a new and exciting opportunity for all of its 250 UK franchisees. Partnering with performance production group, The Really Useful Group – owned by renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber – the brand is offering students from around the country the chance to perform an adaption of the hit musical, CATS.  

This brand new, one-hour version of the world-renowned hit musical is specially tailored for young actors in schools and youth groups. Including easy to sing orchestrations, beginners’ choreography videos and helpful guides on everything from pre-production and casting to rehearsal and the show itself, this ‘show in a box’ concept is available to UK franchisees at a discounted rate for the next 12 months.

This opportunity puts Stagecoach at the forefront of performing arts schools, showcasing it as a prestigious and unique offering to prospective students. “We’re so excited about bringing this one-of-a-kind opportunity to our students. Stagecoach’s partnership with The Really Useful Group enables us to put on shows that we’ll be immensely proud to share with our local communities around the nation. We’re looking forward to seeing the performances that our franchisees put on over the course of the next year – if previous shows are anything to go by, this new opportunity will be very much in demand with our students,” explained Andy Knights, CEO.  

The ultimate ‘how-to’ for schools, the CATS: Young Actors Editiongivesschools and youth groups access to a show pack of materials, which includes a production guide, student vocal books, piano/vocal score, guide vocal tracks, backing tracks, audition sides, official artwork, and instructional choreography and staging videos.

Adapted from T.S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, CATS, is one of the longest-running shows in West End and Broadway history. Since its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981, it’s record-breaking run of 21 years and around 9,000 performances received critical acclaim.

For more information about Stagecoach Performing Arts, visit stagecoachfranchise.com