FORT DU SOLEIL!

INTRODUCING....

FORT DU SOLEIL! 

Manic Stage Productions are so excited to share with you our latest new performance piece produced for our newest client 'Amazing Venues'! This fabulous contract starts with our debut theme on board which featured at the venues grand opening of 'No Man's Fort!'

 

Saturday 4th April saw 10 of Manic's talented team take to the seas for their opening night of 'Fort Du SOLEIL' on board No Man's.  The team consisting of stunning aerial acts, daring fire dancers, poi artists, dancers, singers and sky high stilt walkers!
With a whole host of entertainment packed into one luxury night the guests where in for a brilliant treat of professional bespoke entertainment and performances!

To welcome the guests on board they were greeted by champagne and our stunning stilt walkers. As they entered the beautiful glass roofed atrium they were wowed by the amazing space before heading off to explore the many special sights of this exclusive venue and what it had to offer!

In keeping with our take on 'Cirque Du SOLEIL' our team were dressed in silver and blue hand painted catsuits with huge silver pleated wings for that eye catching effect! You certainly couldn't miss them and set a great first impression for all the guests.

One the sun set we kicked of the show and our team performed the 1st themed medley featuring music, lights, smoke and of course our specialist skills!  Our dancers showed off their creative choreography and our aerialist were showcased throughout! Wowing the crowds the aerial hoop and silks were certainly the highlight receiving rapturous applause, the guests seemed to be blown away by the talent! It was a great way to begin the night and keep everyone excited for what was to come.

Next up the guests were seated for a delightful dinner where they heard our beautiful singer between courses. Her song choices really complimented the atmosphere and gave everyone a treat in between eating their delicious 4 course meal. She was joined by our dazzling dancers dressed top to toe in sequins adding some of our usual Manic sparkle.

We finished the evening with something quite spectacular! After dinner and before the guests danced the night away in the on board nightclub they eagerly awaited the much anticipated FIRE SHOW! 
Back in the atrium the scene was set with a layer of atmospheric smoke and views of the night sky through the glass ceiling our team took to the stage once more to give the guests a final show to remember!

Beginning with fire palms our medley started with 4 girls performing a routine with high flames and beautiful choreography. The songs and music where cleverly picked to add to the action and our medley started to progress as the team performed breathtaking fire stunts, including body burning and fire breathing!

The elegant wings featured once more with dancers breaking up the medley and hiding our fire dancer as she appeared with amazing fans to create yet another spectacular routine! 

Swinging fire around their heads, in the splits, over their bodies and into their mouths the spectators really couldn't believe their eyes. We finished with an incredible fire breathing act joined by all of the team on stage with hula hoop, poi, palms, sticks, wings and dancers which as you can imagine was a truly magnificent finale and a fantastic image for all of the guests to take away with them!! 

We had such an amazing time on board at No Man's and enjoyed the boat trip home ready and raring for our next two 'Fort Du SOLEIL' performances later this month!

Tickets are already selling fast and there are hundreds of guests ready to enjoy our next performances and we can't wait to be back on board to showcase what we have! 
Take a look at the website to see more pictures and read some more information about booking your places, we look forward to seeing you all there!! 
http://www.amazingvenues.co.uk/solent-forts/

For bespoke tailored entertainment for all occasions big or small do not hesitate to contact us!
www.manicsp.co.uk

manicstageproductions@gmail.com

Manic April Member of the Month - Lucy

Manic Member of the Month

Every month we like to shout about one of our fabulous team members and this month we introduce you to .....

Lucy Penketh

Read on to hear what she has been up to as a professional performer and where it all began!

When did you start dancing?

I first started dancing at the age of 2 when I went along to a baby ballet class where my grandmother was an assistant teacher, I then moved on to learning tap, jazz singing and drama. I was very quickly bitten by the dancing bug, attending many classes a week to achieve my grades aswell as take part in local festivals and national competitions. Winning the British Arts Awards All Round Performer at their finals in London.

Where and when did you continue your training professionally?

After I had been to college and completed my A Levels I knew I wanted a career in the dance industry, I was accepted into Stella Mann College of Performing Arts, in which I completed a 3 year National Diploma Course in Professional Dance graduating in 2012. I was taught a lot of about the industry as well as furthering my dance training to the best it could be. Since then I have danced in a Cyprus, been in Bollywood Films, music videos and the MTV awards in India. Also a James Bond stunt show in Paris and Cruised Asia among many other destinations!

What are you currently doing?

I have recently been away with Costa Cruises, cruising Japan, Korea and China on the Costa Victoria. I have decided to have a summer at home after being away almost continuously since graduating in 2012. I am currently rehearsing with Manic Stage Productions and am very excited to be part of their 'Amazing Venues' Solent Forts team. Its so great to be performing constantly with the Manic Team, at various events and venues with such great local talent!

How long have you been part of Manic?

I started in 2013 with Manic and had my first gig within 2 weeks of joining! A scary but great experience! Since then in between contracts I have had the pleasure of doing a wide variety of gigs events and shows with the Manic team. From dancing with Sinitta to being a stilt walking leprechaun each event is well thought out rehearsed and delivered to a high professional standard, which I am extremely proud to be part of.

Do you have a Manic Highlight?

There have been many highlights with Manic! I look forward to class each week as everyone is so friendly and works really hard, but my main highlight would be the recent Fort du Soleil which we performed on No Man's Land Fort just last week. It was an incredible experience from start to finish, with the boat ride over to having a tour of the venue, then performing almost 3 seperate shows to enetertain the guests, with fire dancing, aerialists and some great singing! I cant wait to go back!!

What are your plans for the future?

I am always looking for new and exciting experiences and performance opportunities so who knows where my dance career will take me! I guess thats another reason I love it so much, as every week, month and year is so different!

For more information on Manic Stage Productions please visit our website www.manicsp.co.uk

or contact us at manicstageproductions@gmail.com to discuss the team performing at your next event

Manic's Member of the Month - Jan '15

Manic's Member of the Month!

*JESS*

This month we have chosen to introduce you to another member of our talented team, so you can get to know each of us a little better! 

This months Manic member is JESS!! 

Here's a bit about her and what she has been up to recently! Hope you enjoy!

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of three when my mum and dad sent me to ballet class. I was quite a shy child so my parents decided drama classes would be a real help in building my confidence. At the age of 10 I got the opportunity to perform on a West End Stage, and from that moment I knew that I wanted to make performing my profession. I loved it from the second I stepped out onto that stage.

What were your first performance experiences?

As a young dancer I was picked to perform with BALLET Russe in their performance of ‘Giselle’, performed in many shows at The Chichester Festival Theatre, and at the age of 16 I featured as a soloist on BBC radio 2. I also completed all of my major examinations in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, grade 7 singing and gained a distinction in my drama diploma.

Tell us about your training
I first trained at ‘ Emma Reynolds school of dance’ then on to ‘Art of Dance and Fitness’ in west sussex. At 18 I went on to train for three years at the prestigious ‘Laine Theatre Arts’. I had the most amazing three years there and learnt so much about the industry.

What was your 1st professional job?

My first job straight out of college was a world cruise performing as a singer/dancer on board ‘Voyages of Discovery’. I performed in musical medleys, cabarets, as a Vegas show girl, to Murder Mystery’s and Alan Ayckbourn’s short plays. We were certainly kept busy! I ended up accepting another contract on board shortly after.

When did you join Manic Stage Productions

I joined Manic in March 2013 and can’t quite believe how quickly the time has flown! I love being part of the Manic family!  

Everyone’s so friendly and incredibly supportive of one another.

Everyone at Manic is very busy, what have you been up to lately?

I currently teach Dance in the evenings for a local dance school and have recently returned from the land of Panto, in which I was Princess Jasmine In Aladdin. We toured all over London at different venues and was a wonderful new experience.

What have your Manic highlights been?

I’ve had so many exciting opportunities since joining Manic.  A few of my favourite gigs have been performing at Twickenham Stadium alongside ‘Little Mix’, performing on the Solent Forts and the children’s parties that we host are always such fun! 

Meeting every Tuesday for class with the team is something I always look forward to. Were always rehearsing or working towards something new and exciting!

To meet the rest of our team don't forget to subscribe and follow our blog. We have all sorts of exciting bookings coming up that we can't wait to tell you about, so watch this space!

For enquiries to discuss our bespoke entertainment for any occasion or corporate event do not hesitate to contact us at the following.

www.manicsp.co.uk

manicstageproduction@gmail.com 

Your Chance To Join The Fun

Audition Time

Tuesday 21^st January Manic Stage Productions open our doors and invite you to audition to join the fun!

 We are welcoming new talent to come along and wow us for the yearly chance and exciting opportunity to make it as one of our professional team of performers.

If you think you have what it takes to join our high energy, fast paced team then we want to hear from you, If you have trained to a high level in any style of dance or speciality skill then email us at manicstageproductions@gmail.com to express your interest and submit your C.V.

Successful dance applicants will be invited to attend a FREE weekly professional level dance class to maintain their individual level of technique, stamina and flexibility. Aswell as train with the whole team, learn new choreography and rehearse for forthcoming paid work. 

Successful speciality acts will be added to a forum where regular paid work will be advertised and new exciting opportunities are created. 

Lets hear from Lucy Penketh about her time with Manic and The SHOW Girlz

‘I have been with Manic Stage Productions since June 2013, Manic has provided me with the opportunity to work in a professional environment aswell as to maintain my level of dancing inbetween other dance contracts abroad. 

The weekly professional classes help me to keep building upon my training, increase my flexibility, push myself to pick up routines quickly and remember any we have previously learnt.  Manic has such a wide variety of dances and shows to offer their clients you need to have a good memory to remember them all! 

I have taken part in Michael Jackson tribute shows, South Coast Fashion Week launch, The New Southsea Show, Charity events at the Kings Theatre, A Burlesque show at Grosvenor G Casino, Stilt Walking and Promotional work for Fontwell Race Course. Stilt Walking and a Showgirl Performance at the Spinnaker Tower and Mary Rose Museum. I regularly model for Bridal and Wedding shows and my favourite so far was a Halloween performance with the one and only Miss G!

Manic really is a great team to be part of, I look forward to class every Tuesday and thoroughly enjoy every performance opportunity I have had.

So come along and join the fun! 2014 is going to be a great year for the team and if you love to dance and get paid then this opportunity is NOT to be missed

Lucy from Manic Stage Productions 

Manic Stage Productions

www.manicsp.co.uk

manicstageproductions@gmail.com

07977478565

Nicole's GEW Presentation

Stepping Back On Stage 

I was both honoured and amazed when I was asked a few months ago to be a key speaker at this years Shaping Portsmouth Conference at The Portsmouth Guildhall. The event was to mark the start of Global Entrepreneurship Week and the request was to simply tell my story.

Now for those of you who know me you may think that this would not be a problem! But believe me when I say I was genuinely nervous. I am very proud of my journey and know how hard I have worked every step of the way to get to where I am today, but I did wondered how much of my story would be of any real interest to the high profile attendees of this particular conference.

I was reassured that in fact it was a tale like mine, one of pure passion for a particular subject a passion and creativity that wasn't inhibited by the normal self doubting boundaries of possible failure, that could be an inspiration to most people there. So I took on the challenge and set about writing my piece.

Well on Monday I stepped back onto the stage, a place I would normally call home. Unfortunately as a public speaker I found the once comforting sight of lights and an eagerly awaiting audience a very scary and solitary place. I am pleased to say that I hid the nerves well and managed to get all my words out clearly and even received a warm round of applause at the end!

So incase you missed it heres is my speech in full!

Hello my name is Nicole Geddes and I am co founder and creative director of Manic Stage Productions and our entertainment team who you have just been treated to - 

The Show Girlz.

Before I tell you a little bit more about my business and its place here in Portsmouth, I think its important to give you an insight into my background

 and highlight that becoming a business woman was never the initial intention, but in fact the end result of a life long passion for dance and the performing arts.

Looking around I’m sure many of you here today, like me attended dance classes through your early years. Well my childhood hobby soon turned into my dream and dance was to become my chosen career path.

At 16 I set of to London to train at one of the countries top stage schools - 

Performers College. Upon graduation I entered the professional world of performing and was lucky enough to carve out a career as a dancer across the country and abroad.

I performed on stage and screen for A listers including Kylie Minogue right through to to British comedy legends like Cannon & Ball. Some would say my dreams had come true.

But whilst I was certainly enjoying every minute and every opportunity, I became more and more aware that life as a dancer is short lived by both age and ability.

It was seven years ago, after only 5 years as a performer that I made the unchartered decision to prematurely end my time on stage and try to transition into a more secure role in the industry - Choreography.

I am pleased to say the risk paid off, and I was soon working as an assistant choreographer, in New York, along side Broadway directors and many of the cities most talented choreographers and up and coming dancers. From here I spent time in LA, again assisting one of the states top Show Choir directors, Think Glee!

So where does Manic Stage Productions fit into this very busy timeline? Everything happened so quickly. Prior to me unexpectedly heading off, to work across the pond.
I had set up my company Manic Stage Productions with my super talented, life long friend Matt Newman.

It seems Manic was a twist of fate and for the 3 years I worked over in the states, it was developing into a reputable company that the local community could trust.

Matt and I simply taught our talents to local community groups, dance schools, state and private schools, establishing a solid repore due to our professional levels of training and our joint impressive performance CV.

And here I am today, It was because of Manic’s rapid development and clear potential, that I stopped jetting off to work in America to give our company 100% of my time and efforts. I can honestly say I have never looked back and as well as continuing to provide Portsmouth, with the same high levels of teaching we always endeavoured too. We now also have a fabulous team of talented girls, who work hard entertaining at events, along the south coast, as our entertainment team The Show Girlz.

I guess you might say I have come full circle, as although I am now not performing my self with the show girls. My passion for dance and the performing aspect of the arts is still ever present. Its just I now use my industry knowledge and contacts to give the girlz the same opportunities Matt and I were so lucky to have had and experienced, all those years ago!

WATCH The Show Girlz Film

Matt and I had no business qualifications or attributes when we naively decided to strike out into the the unknown world of management and looking back it could have all gone terribly wrong.
Why did we manage to succeed against all the odds?
Well I believe that it was our genuine love of what we do, our enthusiasm for what we believed possible and the extensive knowledge we had acquired NOT about business, but about the field we wished to pursue our business in.

We were lucky enough to have gained 1st hand experiences through our time in the performing arts industry, that held us in good stead to pass on, at 1st our training to others and now our inside expertise, on full show production, entertainment and ways to enhance any event.

WATCH Event Production Film

Finally I would like to stress that starting and developing, Manic Stage Productions has not been easy. My advice to anyone here today thinking of starting a business is, take full advantage of the many FREE courses, networking groups and information services available to you.

Portsmouth is forefront in offering entrepreneurial opportunities and over the past 7 years both Matt and I have taken many of these FREE courses and asked for a ton of advice. It has been fundamental in our development and certainly assured us that we are presenting the company in the best way possible.

We are lucky to be based in this vibrant, multi cultural, historic city that really does embrace supporting local businesses on every level. On top of that we have been supported by so many other Portsmouth based business. There are many people in this room who I personally owe thanks too.

I think you will agree that we all thrive because we each  individually believe in the city and in helping each other to achieve.

So what do I think is the biggest hurdle for a Portsmouth based business?
Collectively I feel our biggest problem is convincing the remainder of the South Coast that all of our services, products and endevours are equal in both standards and deliverance to any other company trading from lets say London.
It seems we are so close to the capital that we may all get over looked from time to time, but we know that our services, are more cost-effective and delivered with a more personal touch. Which surely counts for much more than a post code.

I am, along with so many of you here today an ambassador for supporting and using local services and purchasing local products. I believe whole heartedly in the pursuit of building the Portsmouth brand.

This is reflected in the ethos of Manic Stage Productions. It has always been to provide opportunities to professional performers outside of London. Those graduates that still wish to work in the entertainment industry - just a little closer to home.
By doing this we can certainly guarantee a high level of entertainment equal to any other company, but at a more affordable cost to you the local client.

After the announcements last week of the drastic cuts to the cities cultural budgets, it makes me more determined than ever to provide cost effective entertainment for the city and its creative establishments. I appreciate first hand the challenges the creative sector face and Manic want to support and work closely with others to over come these.

Lastly, It would be easy to abandon Portsmouth in search of larger financial gain but I believe in the Chinese proverb “If you want one year of prosperity, grow grain. If you want ten years of prosperity, grow trees. If you want one hundred years of prosperity, grow people.” and by growing people and relationships within this great city we can all together - Shape Portsmouth. 

Learning The Art Of Burlesque

Transforming shy gorgeous girls into sexy burlesque beauties

Last Monday saw the commencement of our 4 week confidence course! 

Manic Stage Productions are always getting asked to teach their talents to the general public and finally Nicole bit the bullet and made time in her busy business schedule to reveal some trade secrets!

The beautiful and scintillating art of burlesque has seen a massive resurgence in popularity over the past few years. With women of all ages wanting to watch, learn and experience the sexy yet extremely classy showgirl world. The tempting costumes, big-band sounds, decadent stage sets, elaborate props and the risque routines are making a storming comeback as shows sell out across the country.

It was no surprise then, that the sort after 8 places sold out straight away and this intimate yet super fun class was a huge success!

We cannot tell you too much as to what goes on behind the closed doors of the studio but be assured these ladies are having the time of there life learning to shimmy and shake!

Lulu from Love Southsea did have a little something to say "I thought it was amazing that all different sorts of lovely ladies really come out of their shells in such a short space of time. Nicole made it so easy to get to grips with and is really good fun! The perfect teacher for this cheeky class. I will certainly be recommending her next course to my friends!"

If we have teased and tempted you to want to have ago, then the next course starts as follows
On - Monday 4th November - November 25th
At - 6.15pm - 7.15pm
 Where- Grosvenor Casino, Gunwharf Quays - Lady G Show Bar
Price - £45* Including a FREE ticket to our forth coming Burlesque Show
FREE PARKING
Spaces are limited so book fast - 07977478565

Watch this space as we have a professional Burlesque Show to tell you all about which we cant wait to share :-)