A new reality TV show about West End performers - working title Life’s A Stage - is in the process of being developed.
The show has been commissioned for a 30-minute pilot (which will be filmed over the course of a week in August)by a major broadcaster (believed to be Channel 4). If the pilot works , it is expected to be commissioned for a full series.
The show will centre around a cast of West End performers living together in one house, documenting both the work and social lives of actors, musicians and dancers. Life's a Stage twill also include performances of songs from West End shows.
Executive producer Glenn Coomber, (producer of the Royal Variety Performance for the past two years) said his inspiration was frm watching West End casts perform at the annual fundraising gala saying “What began to fascinate me is how the casts change … shows that you thought would run for ages ran for much shorter than perhaps they were envisioned to. People assume TV is always very glamorous, and 99% of the time it’s not – and that’s even more true in the theatre world. I’ve been fascinated by the idea of people on stage in front of thousands, taking their curtain calls, and then having to run for the night-bus home. I just like that juxtaposition: you’re wearing incredible, expensive outfits and feel like a star – and are a star – but actually there’s a real world of people existing and getting by.”
Coombe said the show would not be a straight documentary about actors, but would not be as scripted as shows such as Made In Chelsea and The Only Way Is Essex.
Production company Znak and Jones is now casting for the pilot, seeking performers of any experience, aged 18 - 35. Znak and Jones was set up by former ITV head of factual Natalka Znak and Simon Jones, former chief operating officer of Syco Television USA.
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