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TALENTED KIDS

FAME| Local talent is forced down south

ALEXA'S FIRST AUDITION

ALEXA'S SECOND AUDTION

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The North East has a wealth of young, talented, ambitious kids. But to realise their dreams, they are forced to leave home and head for the bright lights of London.

If you’ve ever dreamed of dancing on car roofs or living forever, then you will know exactly how Alexa Robinson and Amina Kandel feel. But would you be prepared to leave home for the bright lights and high prices of London? Inside Out meets two wannabe stars who did just that.

Fierce competition

Alexa Robinson left her home in Middlesbrough three years ago in order to attend the Italia Conti stage school in London. She is now searching for her first paying job in one of the world’s most successful musicals, Mama Mia.

Competition for jobs is fierce, so even with Alexa’s 5.30 am start, she finds herself closer to the back of the queue than she would have liked. The wait is well worth it though as Alexa is recalled for a second dance audition.

Success however, comes with a hefty price tag. Fees for Italia Conti reach nearly £10,000 a year and that’s without living expenses.

It was not only Alexa who was forced to leave home in order to pursue her dream. Alexa’s mum has also moved to London, not, she stresses to keep an eye on her daughter, but to earn a greater wage in the capital.

"She’s our only daughter and these are her dreams. We are the only people who can make it happen for her," explains her mum when asked about the sacrifices the family have made.

Sacrifice

They’re not the only family who have made sacrifices for their daughter’s ambition. 14 year old Amina Kandel from Guisborough also attends Italia Conti. Amina has been encouraged from the start by her dance teacher Amanda McGlynn.

"I knew from the day she (Amina) walked in my door, that little girl had something special. She had that little twinkle in her eye and I just knew she had star quality," says Amanda.

Alexa is recalled for a dance audition in Mama Mia

Like Alexa’s family, Amina’s mum struggles to pay the expensive fees and spends her time writing letter after letter, appealing for funding, but it’s a constant struggle.

"I thought ‘Oh my god, where are we going to get the money for this?’...I started writing letters…

Ami got funded from the Prince’s Trust, the Cleveland Community Foundation and the Actors’ Church Union. We’ve got £1,000 a term so far. We’re just looking for another £1,500 to keep her there," explains Amina’s mum.

Leaving for London

The lack of theatre schools outside of London means that many talented youngsters are forced to leave for the capital at an early age.

Local girl Lucy Sage is hoping to put that right. In order to follow her dreams, Lucy was forced to leave the North East when she was just 13. After training at Italia Conti, Lucy remained in London, teaching and acting.

Amina dreams of 'A' list celebrity stardom

The lure of home proved too much however and six years later, Lucy returned to open her own stage school in Byker, Tyneside.

SAGE

The Stage Academy of Performing Arts trains talented youngsters in acting, dance and singing and in three years time, Lucy hopes to have between 50 to 90 students.

Training students locally would drastically reduce the huge expense of living in London. Once trained however, it seems London is the only place for budding stars to be and for one young hopeful this is certainly true.

Amina Kandel has no immediate plans to return to North East. At least not unless it’s in a limousine as an A list celebrity.