Anything goes; Hundreds of music fans flock to Oliver workshop

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), May 28, 2008

Byline: By ALASTAIR CRAIG

THEY'D do anything for a career on the musical stage.

And they learned from the best at a special singing workshop in Tyneside yesterday.

When hit BBC show I'd Do Anything came to town, hundreds of tuneful children belted out hit song Consider Yourself at Sage Gateshead.

Fans of the hit musical Oliver turned out to meet eliminated Nancy hopefuls and musical theatre star Michael French, formerly David Wicks in Eastenders.

Instead of singing along on the sofa, they had the chance to take part in workshops held by the BBC Singers and philharmonic orchestra.

And the roof was raised when Nancies Niamh Perry, Sarah Lark and Ashley Russell took the stage to join in with classics from the West End.

Niamh, 17, from Northern Ireland, was knocked out in a sing-off two weeks ago, and said: "The people we had along were great, really tuneful.

"I can see a lot of talented children here and, who knows, they could be in Oliver on the stage in the future.

This event was a great way of taking the television programme out to the public and getting people involved in singing."

Little music fans Charlotte Diamond, nine, her sister Lucy, four, and Jonathan Green, 14, couldn't wait to meet their idols.

Charlotte, of Chester-le-Street, County Durham, said: "It was great seeing the Nancies. They were really nice.

"I really like the music and my favourite Nancy is Samantha.

I hope she wins."

Jonathan, who attends King's School in Tynemouth, who played Oliver in his school's performance of the famous musical, said: "I love Oliver and it's fantastic to meet some of the people from I'd Do Anything."

The workshop was organised by BBC Learning, to give amateur singers expert advice.

Graham Norton presents I'd Do Anything, to find talent for the roles of Nancy and three boys to play orphaned urchin Oliver.

CAPTION(S):

HIGH NOTE: Former Eastender Michael French with Jonathan Green of Sunderland; SINGING PRAISES: Niamh Perry, Ashley Russell and Sarah Clark with Charlotte and Lucy Diamond, of Chester-le-Street, and, right, people at the event