Manic's Member Of The Month - February '15

MEET MANIC'S 
MEMBER OF THE MONTH 

TILLY! 

Each month Manic Stage Productions like to introduce you to a different member of our talented team and let you find out a bit about who we are and who is behind the costumes glitz and glamour....

This month meet TILLY!

We asked Tilly a few questions about her life as a dancer and professional performer, where it all started, whats next and much more. Here's what Tilly had to say...

When did you start dancing?

I started dancing at the age of three beginning with baby ballet, quickly progressing onto ISTD tap, modern, ballet and musical theatre. As I child I loved everything about dance and continued to train through the grades and also took on jazz and singing all the way through until I was 15. To top of my childhood training in 2009 I was the winner of the ISTD Janet Cram Modern Dance Awards.

Where and when did you continue your training professionally?

Knowing I wanted to be on the stage I went on to train professionally at Laine Theatre Arts and was even lucky enough to be offered a Betty Laine Scholarship for her 3 years of training. I graduated in 2012 with a national diploma in dance and musical theatre which held me in good stead to go explore the world and work for many companies and productions as a professional performer.

What are you currently doing?

I have recently been away on the Ventura cruise ship working as a Singer/Dancer for Headliners theatre company and upon my return was excited to be back performing with Manic and the team! I am currently back in rehearsals for my second cruise on the Azura working again with Headliners company as a singer dancer.

We hear you have been in panto?

Yes for the past two years I have worked in pantomime as a dancer for the Wimbledon Theatre, pantos are so much fun and I loved being part of Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs and this year Cinderella. Each year there has been a host of celebrities and we have performed to packed out audiences every night.

Along with the above contracts I have also featured in a number of TV advert commercials for some major brands such as Marks & Spencers and have performed at numerous charitable and celebrity infused events.  

What has been your career highlight?
Gosh, I have enjoyed all of my performances but i must say that my favourite has to be going on tour with Baywatch star David Hasslehoff himself and being a part of his 3 man show as a backing dancer and singer. It really was such a great experience and a top laugh! Travelling up and down the country and touring with David was definitely my highlight so far and something I will always remember!

How long have you been part of Manic?

I have been lucky enough to be a member of Manic Stage Productions between contracts since 2012. As soon as my contract on Azura I will most certainly be back again and can't wait! I loves being a part of the team, it is made up of such a lovely bunch of people. We are all really close and supportive of each other it's like being part of our own little 
'Manic Family'.

Do you have a favourite Manic moment?

One of my favourite jobs for Manic has to be performing alongside Little Mix as a dancer and cheerleader at Rugby's Twickenham stadium, it was so amazing to be a part of and the reaction of thousands of people in the arena was a great rush and a day the whole Manic team will remember!
Manic Stage Productions is a great company to be part of. I get to sing and dance, performing for many corporate gigs and entertaining all types of crowds. My favourite thing about it is I never know what is round the corner or what venue I might arrive at which is such a buzz for the performance and every time it is different. 

Your final thoughts?

''I just love being on stage and performing, it's my life, my love not only my job but my dream and I love every minute of it and wouldn't have it any other way!''

We wish Tilly lots of luck in all her future endeavours and especially on her upcoming cruise in the next few months! We will of course keep up to date with her and see how she is getting on and just like all the other members of the team we encourage them to go out into the world and work and hope they always remember that they have a place here in Manic when they return! 

Lots of luck and Bon Voyage.. We look forward to seeing photos and seeing you again when you are home Tilly! 

For any information about Manic and our bespoke tailored entertainment for any occasion please visit www.manicsp.co.uk or send your enquiry to manicstageproductions@gmail.com

Performing alongside Little Mix

Its officially our biggest gig to date and wow what a gig it was! 

We are still buzzing after our "Swarm" performance to a 38,000 strong crowd alongside pop princess's 'Little Mix' at the home of English Rugby.

Read on to hear about the day and our colourful evolvement

Last Saturday Manic packed up a 20 strong team of speciality entertainers and took them on the road. We had been booked to perform at Twickenham Stadium, the home of English Rugby. 

Manic Stage Productions were asked to provided a variety of match day entertainment varying from sky high stilt walkers, high kicking cheerleaders, daring free runners, hula hoop artists and unicyclists for the much anticipated match between The London Wasps and Gloucester Rugby, aptly named 'The Stinger'!! 

The fans are used to seeing our colourful contribution dressed head to toe in our wasp costumes cheering and supporting our team. We currently work closely with The London Wasps at their home stadium Adam's Park. But as you can imagine, we were delighted that the club directors felt our support and skill would enhance the atmosphere of their big "Stinger" game! 

We began the day in the sunshine welcoming the crowds into the stadium, showing off our talents at the main gates. The crowds flocked in their thousands to enjoy their day out at the rugby, you could feel the buzz with everyone really excited for the match to begin. 

People were stopping for photos with our team, and welcomed in with smiles, cheerleading chants and free Lindt chocolate Easter gifts!  Both children and adults alike were amazed and entertained by our speciality skills and a lucky few even got a one on one mini lesson from our free runners teaching them some basic tricks and skills to get them started.

The highlight of the day was our pitch side performance. 

Our 5 stilt walkers were first into the stadium and were walking pitch side interacting and warming up the crowds before the game. With foam fingers and wasp flags flying high it was clear that the wasps supporters had turned out in force for the big occasion!

The pre match entertainment was headlined by X Factor winners Little Mix. 

As the stadium filled Little Mix took to the stage to perform their set of smash hits and crowd pleasers. As Little Mix started this is when our 'swarm' began! The whole Manic team entered the stadium to surround the pitch. Along side Little Mix our cheerleaders performed their energetic routines full of eye catching choreography. With their pom pom's shaking, splits and kicks the cheerleaders definitely entertained and the crowds loved it.

Joining the stilt walkers were our hula hoop artist, poi performer and unicylcist. They were moving around the pitch weaving in and out of the stilt walkers showing off their amazing talents. 

Lastly in came our 8 super skilled free runners. They had the honour of delivering the match ball to the players so that the game could begin. The pyro technics created a brilliant atmosphere with flames and fireworks shooting into the sky. The stage was most certainly set as 6 colourful pitch strips ran across the pitch ready for our free runners to begin. 

Just ahead of the players entrance our boys showcased their back flips, tricks and tumbles up and down the pitch ending with our free runner 'Mitch' entering with the match ball and delivering it in style to the referee for the championship match to start!

The players from both teams, stormed out of the tunnel onto the pitch and took their positions for the match to start. The Manic team had done our job and were beaming with excitement and pride! We left the stadium and joined the crowds to support the wasps and enjoy the match with a well deserved beer or two! 

The game ended on a massive high with The Wasps taking the title and winning the game with a score of 38-30! To celebrate the win and success of the day Manic were invited to join the after party in the VIP members lounge alongside the players in the suite. The whole team had an amazing day and couldn't have hoped for it to have gone any better. 

Nicole and Matt are really working hard to build big contacts and are certainly taking Manic Stage Productions places! They are very happy and proud of their involvement in this huge event and as always can not thank their Manic members enough for their individual skill and enthusiasm.

If you think Manic Stage Productions could be of any assistance and enhance your event please do not hesitate to contact us to tailor entertainment to your needs. 

www.manicsp.co.uk

07977478565

manicstageproductions@gmail.com

THE STINGER!!

THE MANIC SWARM ARE COMING

Manic Stage Productions have been booked to provide pre match entertainment at 'The Stinger' as the match is called.

We have just returned from London where we have finalised details of our involvement in a very exciting Aviva Premiership Rugby Match between our regular client 'London Wasps' and 'Gloucester Rugby' at non other than the home of England Rugby Twickenham Stadium.

The team are thrilled to be part of such a massive event and are so excited to be performing along side X Factor success 'Little Mix' who are headlining the entertainment at the Twickenham match. Manic's team of speciality entertainers are providing circus and show style entertainment throughout the day and have even got the prestigious task of delivering the match ball. 

As always we have a wide variety of talented acts who will be performing both inside and outside the ground. It will be hard for you to miss us entertaining the crowds dressed as....... you guessed it wasps! 

The team is 20 strong and comprises of stilt walkers that will be roaming around interacting with the supporters. Our very own cheerleaders, chanting, and showing off their high kicks and splits with a variety of routines. Plus our daredevil free runners showcasing their acrobatic skill.

Alongside our dancers, cheerleaders, stilt walkers and free runners we have a hula hooper, uni-cyclist and poi artist to add to the amazing eye catching team being called "The Swarm" 

Are acts are in training right now working together to create a performance that the crowds will love and remember. We can't wait to see the London Wasps Rugby team in action and are very excited to be part of their big day!

 The game will kick off at 3:15pm on Saturday 19th April but the crowds are encouraged to arrive as early as midday to catch all of the amazing entertainment that is taking place before the game, both in the stadium and out side in the west car park.

There are still tickets available from £10 so grab yourself a ticket from Ticketmaster and come and enjoy what is sure to be a brilliant day out! 

We are certainly counting down the days and hope to see you all there too :-)

If you think that our team could tailor entertainment to suit your event do not hesitate to contact us and we can discuss your individual requirements to provide THE best entertainment for your company and event. 

manicstageproductions@gmail.com       www.manicsp.co.uk