Students from Faringdon attempt Guinness World Record for most simultaneous performances of one show and Deputy Mayor Cllr. Kiera Bentley was delighted to attend.
- Stagecoach Faringdon took part in a Guinness World Record on Sunday for the largest number of simultaneous performances of one show, among 12,500 students worldwide.
- Almost 200 Stagecoach schools across the UK (and abroad) performed Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Junior.
- Performance marked 30 years of success in the performing arts for Stagecoach.
- The performance by Stagecoach Faringdon was attended and adjudicated by musician and actor Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet fame.
Stagecoach Performing Arts Faringdon participated in an attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous performance of one show on Sunday.
Celebrating the 30-year anniversary of Stagecoach, students from Stagecoach Faringdon joined up with schools nationwide and abroad (including Germany, Canada and Malta) to stage Disney’s Beauty and the Beast Junior.
Performing simultaneously at 6pm BST on 1st July 2018, 200 Stagecoach Performing Arts schools took part, the world record attempt commemorating three decades of its schools sparking children’s creativity through singing, dancing and acting classes. Upwards of 12,500 children were involved, across 144 venues around the world.
Stagecoach will secure an official Guinness World Record when independent adjudication verifies the attempt in the coming weeks. Once confirmed, Stagecoach will have broken its own record, which currently stands from 2008. Almost ten years ago Stagecoach organised the largest simultaneous performance of one show for its 20th anniversary, achieving 66 performances of Glad Rags across the UK, Ireland and Germany. More than double the number of schools signed up to join the festivities in 2018.
The stunning performance was attended by actor and musician, Gary Kemp, 58, acting as one of the independent adjudicators. Kemp said, “It was wonderful to see a show that included such a wide group of performers. The concert was superbly presented with great emotional commitment. The focus and professionalism shone throughout. James and the team at Stagecoach Faringdon are incredible role models. It is so good to have such an amazing platform for young people, in and around Faringdon. Bravo to everyone involved.”
Principal of Stagecoach Faringdon, James Barker, 39, said, “We are so proud to have participated in this once in a lifetime World Record attempt. The students worked really hard and their performance on Sunday was outstanding. We were also really proud to have 5 independent adjudicators attending, including Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet, who lives locally and is a big supporter of our school. Also in attendance were Cllr Kiera Bentley, Deputy Mayor of Faringdon and TV Presenters Shaun Crawley and Hayley Green.”
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was released in cinemas in 1991 and is one of the most beloved animated films of all time. In 1994 it was transformed into a spectacular, award-winning Broadway musical by the Disney Theatrical Group, which has been seen by over 25 million people and continues to enchant audiences around the world. Most recently, this ‘tale as old as time’ was again been reinvented, this time as a live-action feature, which was the world’s top-grossing film of 2017, reaffirming its enduring appeal across multiple generations.
Stagecoach boasts a talented alumni base of A-list celebrities and actors. The selection of Disney’s enchanting classic is highly appropriate, with two of Stagecoach’s former students, Emma Watson and Nathan Mack, having played the protagonist Belle and Chip the teacup, respectively, in the film of Beauty and the Beast last year.
Amongst other anniversary celebrations, a special commemorative Charity Gala raised funds for YoungMinds, the UK’s leading charity championing the wellbeing and mental health of young people.
Stagecoach Performing Arts Faringdon is part of a network of more than 750 extra-curricular Performing Arts Schools worldwide. Stagecoach aims to make a difference in its students’ lives by teaching Creative Courage for Life and many children have gone on to study and work in Performing Arts from blockbuster films to countless roles in local theatre productions. Early Stages classes are available for children aged four to six and Main Stages classes take place for six to 18 year olds every weekend during term time.
For more information about Stagecoach Faringdon, please visit their website at www.stagecoach.co.uk/faringdon or call 01367 240663
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