10/09/2024
OFF TO RADA I GO !
Tomorrow I start my next big adventure.- off to RADA for 2 years to study for a post grad in theatrical costuming for stage and screen. YES REALLY ! I can't quite believe it but here's how it happened. (sorry for the long spiel to come, but so many people have asked)
I have been really lucky to have done lots of varied things in my life. Growing up, I was passionate about music, singing, playing guitar, musical theatre and performing on stage. Also from very young, I'd always loved creating my own clothes and costumes for the stage. I taught myself on an old Singer given to me by my wonderful Great Aunt Ivy who also regularly supplied me with her fabric offcuts.
Sadly my parents insisted I should not do a creative degree and I dutifully went off to Southampton University to study Physiology and Biochemistry. Most of my degree was spent performing in bands and making everyone's outfits for shows, fancy dress parties and May balls, and after graduation I searched for a more creative career than looking down a microscope. I was snapped up by Fenwicks who were searching for science or maths graduates with analytical minds and creative fashion flair. I spent eight amazing years rising up the ranks and travelling the world, sourcing, designing and buying until I reached the level where further progression meant moving into management of other buyers which didn't appeal. Not attracted by this, I opted to change career, studied for my PGCE and became a science teacher at Tiffin Girls' School.
Then my gorgeous sons, Charlie and Harry came along, and I started my own children's music company ‘Tin Pan Annie Music' which is now 30 years old. It has been the most amazing journey including teaching music, running sessions in hospitals, writing and performing children's shows and festivals, albums, tv, 4 children's albums, youtube videos..... and my costume making expanded into such things as giant snowmen and a neoprene bus.
I've also had the pleasure of making a huge variety of costumes for many of my friends in London amdram circuit which has been amazing.
Interestingly, of the huge array of costumes that I took to my RADA interview, it was those that I have made for Harry's band- 'h.eldritch', in which they were most interested. You will see them in the my endless proud mummy posts. RADA described them as 'edgy Industrial Grunge', which is a bit like my house too !
So now it is all change for me - Tin Pan Annie will continue in the form of seasonal shows and special events in the gaps between RADA terms. Harry and I will eventually record the fifth Tin Pan album and I will still be Harry's driver and roadie for gigs making the band a whole new batch of costumes.
Many people have asked me to blog or vlog my time at RADA but I don't want that to dominate so instead I will just post weekly here and on my new instagram and they definitely won't be as long as this one
Tomorrow I will commute into London swapping my 60+ oyster card for my student one! I am excited to learn from the experts, to be around creative, buzzy people all day and meet the other students, possibly mingling with the future 'Anthony Hopkins' and 'Imelda Stauntons' of this world. I'll try not to stick too many pins in them along the way!