Fifth form pupil, Lydia Maxwell, has  been cast at Lady Macbeth in the forthcoming National Youth Music Theatre’s production, Macbeth the Musical, which will be performed this summer in Bracknell.   Lydia has been given the leading female part from a cast of 40, ranging in age from 11-21 years old. The lead male role will be played by a 21 year old.

Lydia describes the show as a 'slightly operatic, futuristic production set in 2032'. The stage uses old television sets showing ‘snowy’ reception as well as a huge screen placed at the back of the stage to broadcast sections of the production which will be pre-filmed. In a lightning turnaround, rehearsals start on 7 August with the final performance staged on 19 August, giving performers a total of two weeks to learn and perform their parts. The cast has already taken part in a four day workshop where they learned the songs.  Lydia will have two solos and a duet to sing, as well as a number of full cast numbers. She says:  “The songs are really catchy and I tend to walk around singing them in the house!”.

Lydia was accepted into the National Youth Theatre in January and then went on to audition for the National Youth Musical Theatre this month.  She recently played the leading role in the School’s production of Calamity Jane where she was a big hit.

Director of Drama, Lloyd Allington, and the Head of Speech and Drama, Rebecca Vines, were unanimous in their praise for Lydia.  “She is quite extraordinarily outstanding.  Her voice is already of a high professional standard, and we are not surprised that she is achieving major roles at a national level.”

In an incredibly busy summer, Lydia will only spend 12 days at home.   She will be fitting the show around her Olympic commitments where she will be taking part in the Welcoming Ceremony. Rehearsals for that begin at the end of June and go right through to the start of the Games on 28 July.   

Photography courtesy of Gloucestershire Echo