ABSTRACT
Over the years, musicals have overtaken straight drama as the biggest employer of performers in theatre. Apart from possibly pantomimes, a musical might have been your first introduction to theatre as a child – it may even have been the reason you are reading this book now. While there is work in musicals, the competition is still phenomenally fierce, with many people competing for the same role or place in the ensemble. As well as acting skills, you will, of course, also need to sing and dance to a high standard. You may have trained specifically in the genre, in which case your tutors will have appraised your skill and suitability for the different types of musical. If you have not trained, it is worth thinking about regular classes in singing technique, performance and repertoire, as well as dance classes. While most start dancing from an early age – often as young as three or four – some still make it on the West End stage who have not started until their late teens, or even later, so don’t despair as with the right natural talent and aptitude it is never too late.
