www.wrington.net
Local girl, twelve year old Nina Halper, has recently got a place
at the prestigious National Youth Music Theatre. This is a
considerable achievement since the NYMT recruits youngsters
from all over the country, and the auditions are both thorough
and rigorous.
It came as a pleasant surprise to Nina:
‘Mum and I looked at the auditioning times and there was one
the week after, in Bristol – so we went and I auditioned, and I
didn’t think it went very well – and then I got a recall, so we went
up to London for the recall – and, three or four days after that, I
heard I’d got in! I was really, really excited when I found out. I
got a call from home; I was on the bus - and Mum’s voice was
very toned-down, and I was thinking, ‘Oh, no’, and then she
said, ‘They want you!’ and I went, ‘Ooh!’ really excited!’
It is not cheap, however. In order to fund her Easter course, in
Tunbridge Wells, and the accommodation both for that and the
actual show (scheduled to happen, in London, in the summer),
Nina needs to raise £850.
This she has approached in her usual positive and determined manner – and, in addition to cake sales and odd jobs for family and friends, she
has come up with a wonderful event which all the village can enjoy.
Nina is going to hold an evening of cabaret entertainment, at Wrington’s URC Chapel, on Friday May 17th, from 7pm until 9pm, with lively acts
from a dozen or so local talented kids. Funds from the sale of tickets will go towards Nina’s NYMT costs, as will any money generated from the
interval cake sale.
She can hardly wait:
‘Wrington’s full of talented people, including the Youth Drama Group,’ Nina said, ’and I have asked them to put on a little show, which will
probably be called OUR SONG. There’s a lot of good singing around, and there’ll be piano playing; Simon Taylor will be playing his trumpet,
with some of his brass friends; there’s also going to be a drummer, which is exciting, and the Youth Drama group’s going to do some little
numbers from ‘The Jungle Book’ and ‘Bugsy Malone’ – and me and my friend, Lily Gray, who’s a good comedic actress, are going to do a little
comedy number. Anyone from the village can come along!’
This is far from being Nina’s first experience in the spotlight. She is a member of Bristol-based company, The Big Act, and has performed in
several of their shows. In addition, she was chosen to play the little girl in ‘Dreamland Adventure’ two years running – and was a magnificent
Artful Dodger in Churchill School’s recent production of ‘Oliver!’
Nina comes from a multi-talented family. Her mother, Lisa, was also a member of NYMT in her youth – and, after her time at Cambridge
University, toured the country with her group, the delightfully named Swingin’ Chickens. Father, Mark, is a stalwart of Wrington Drama Club, his
most recent roles being Jacob Marley and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in this year’s show. Sister, Ella, sings and is also very keen on
drama. She, too, was in ‘Oliver!’ and sang a lovely solo as the flower-seller.
It seems clear that Nina’s heading for great things. And, as this went to press, I was told that she had been slotted in as under-study for one of
the main parts! But she has a modest outlook:
‘I love drama and it’s a big part of my life, but I don’t really want to take it up as a job,’ she said. ‘And, even if I did, I’d want to get a degree :
university first so that, if it (drama) doesn’t go well, then I’ve always got something to fall back on. I have a thing for psychology and I also really
like English. I’d like to be a psychologist!’
I am quite sure that Nina will make a success of whatever she sets her mind to in the future. Meanwhile, I do hope as many of you as possible
will come along and support this very worthwhile cause.
Tickets can be bought at Buglers – adults, £5 and children, £4 – or contact Lisa Lipman on 01934 862467.
