Students from famous school put on a show
Nellie Regan grew up in her mum Sasha’s Union Theatre and found her vocation there. But the ‘calling’ was something that happened gradually, writes Michael Holland.
‘I loved the theatre community that I was surrounded with,’ begins the young theatre-maker, ‘and saw my helping out in the Union as a little hobby.’
That all changed five years ago with the first lockdown. Theatres had a difficult time and had to find strategies to make socially-distanced work to tempt a paying public out again. As a family the Regans devised various events to keep their theatre busy – and with the hope of bringing some much-needed funds in because the landlord still wanted payment throughout the lockdowns; Nellie’s sister Bea even led fundraising events.
It was during these hard times, when Nellie had to step up, that she knew where her future was meant to be.
‘In lockdown,’ she says, ‘I found my love for theatre andI now couldn’t imagine myself without it… I would confidently say that it got me through lockdown and allowed me to have a drive and focus when things were hard.’
The confidence came from working with Union stalwart Tom Duren: ‘We spent hours in the rehearsal room singing and playing around with duets. Tom taught me how to sing, and it came from a place of support instead of actual lessons; he is one of the reasons I have so much love for what I do. His drive, ambition and selflessness is truly inspiring.’ Nellie paused, looked over at the silent piano: ‘He is my most influential role model, and I could not be more grateful to have him in my life.’
From helping out mum as a hobby, then working with Tom Duren, Nellie won a place at The BRIT School, a life-changing event for her.
‘I was a completely different person before joining and, to be honest, I wasn’t in the best of places, and it is all thanks to them to where I am now. Not only do they offer the most incredible training in multiple disciplines but they also teach you to find yourself.’
The school, that has an amazing alumn, focuses on individualism and ‘pushes you to have your own character and personality’ explains Ms Regan. ‘Instead of training us all to be an army of performers they ensure that every single person gets heard. Every single member of staff has always made me feel so safe and supported. BRIT has completely changed my life,’ she adds honestly.
And now Nellie and several BRIT colleagues are putting on their own production – Sh!t Show.
It was created by Linus Davison and Lars Nunns as a little idea that they developed with Nellie and another singer/actor, Abbie Garland, workshopping scenes and songs until it evolved into a full show.
Nellie was given the role of Rebecca, which, she declares, ‘is really exciting as I have seen her character change and adapt since the first draft.’ She was also asked to produce the show.
I wondered how that felt: ‘I think it’s so important for new writers and actors to be seen, especially when we are all only 16/17 years old. I am very proud of everyone involved.’
With the company made up entirely of BRIT students there is a buzz about the place. You can feel it. ‘I feel so inspired to get to watch my friends work and create every day, whether that be choreography, directing, photography and lots more. I am so proud of Linus and Lars. They have been brave and taken the chance and jumped at it, I don’t know many seventeen year olds who have written a musical and organised it to be seen on stage. Their ambition is incredible and I cannot stress that enough.’
An appreciative Nellie also wanted to praise the Musical Theatre Department who have watched these students grow and blossom under their guidance and encouragement over three years: ‘They made us trust ourselves and believe that we could do it.’
Nellie Regan the Teenager with a mission, already has a plan for when she leaves BRIT School. Looking very grown up she tells me, ‘I am really looking forward to go onto Drama School.’
I think we could be hearing a lot about this young woman and could be seeing Linus & Lars lit up in lights outside theatres.
The Sh!t Show is on at The Union Theatre, Union Arches, 229 Union Street, SE1 0LR from 22nd-23rd May. 7.30pm
Booking and full details: https://uniontheatre.biz/show/sht-show-the-musical-showcase/
