Tread The Boards 2007 Header
St Luke's & Queen Street Hall, Queen Street, Broughty Ferry, Dundee
     
 
Workshop with Peter Polycarpou
Monday, August 16th, 2004

Peter Polycarpou with young piper Craig WeirTread the Boards Youth Music Theatre was given a one-day workshop, based on the musical phenomenon Les Misérables, by popular West End, TV and film actor Peter Polycarpou. This picture was taken when Peter arrived at Dundee airport the evening before the workshop.

As he states on his own website, it was the best welcome he’s ever had to a city. The young piper was Craig Weir, older brother of Rachel, who is playing Young Cosette in Tread the Boards’ production of Les Miserables.

Craig played “Bonnie Dundee” and “Highland Cathedral” for the popular West End, TV and film actor.
Peter with the team
Peter explains how to do it Demonstrating why
An original cast member of Les Misérables, Peter talked extensively about the creation of the musical from Victor Hugo's classic novel and how each performer researched their role. Thereafter, he worked solidly for eight hours with the TtB company in St Luke’s Queen Street hall, Broughty Ferry.
Brian Boardman, director of Tread the Boards Youth Music Theatre’s production of Les Misérables, said “Peter was very tough with them. In fact, he told me afterwards that with ours being a youth theatre production he pushed them further than he would have done had it been a school group. However, once he broke down the barriers, they really rose to the challenge.
“The performers have gained enormously from this masterclass from an actor who cares passionately about his craft. Peter is a great motivator and his work has been invaluable to everyone involved with this production and we can’t thank him enough. I know those who took part will go on to give even better performances in the future, taking on board his training technique. Peter's over-all knowledge and passion for Les Misérables was clear for all to see and he has helped in taking our young cast to another level.”
Peter said: “I want to congratulate all of the Les Misérables company after the tremendous day I had with them in Dundee. The energy and commitment shown by all the group was brilliant and they had a very professional approach to their work, which impressed me enormously. In each of the workshop sessions I take, I require a level of focus which takes no prisoners and I try to maintain a level of work which is compatible with the standards I would expect in a West End cast. They raised their game throughout the day to meet this challenge.
“I send them all my best wishes for the run and I know some have a bright future if they want to take on acting professionally.

“Once again many thanks for a brilliant day and for a great group of performers. I'm sure it will be a very good production.”

Good luck,

Peter Polycarpou