Love is in the air in Tweed

Fame the Musical, directed by Annie Loctoki, may be a well-known movie and TV series about the gritty side of the theatre but it is actually full of romantic stories including a real-life romance which blossomed on the stage.

The show, being presented by the Tweed Theatre Company (TTC), has six main characters who all begin as freshman at the Performing Arts School in New York. The story weaves three love stories around these characters while in real life the TTC cast has its own love story.

Ensemble cast members, Lara Wilkinson, 16, and Guy Williams, 18, (both pictured), met two years ago. Guy is originally a hip hop dancer while Lara is an actor and singer with four major shows under her belt.

They met at an Arts Week concert where Guy was working as part of the sound crew backstage and Lara was performing. He was struck by her amazing voice and introduced himself. The rest is history.

“I got talked into the show by Lara but I’ve been a big supporter of hers for years. It is my first big production so it is great for Lara to be helping me,” said Guy.

While Lara and Guy are a couple of regular teens in love, the love stories within the show are much more dramatic. Tyrone (Clay English) and Iris (Rebecca Gristaldi) is a story about opposites attracting. He is a tough Bronx teen from the wrong side of the tracks who falls in love with the faux princess of the show, Iris.

Carmen (Alison McKenzie) is a party girl who uses Schlomo (Hayden Bech) to support her habit. Schlomo is a gullible Jewish boy who comes from a well-known stage family and Carmen pretends to be his girlfriend. He is infatuated with her but Carmen plays him for a fool.

The third love story is about Serena (Rachel Love), who originally hears that her love interest Nick (Jack Harbour) is gay. They have a classic love/hate relationship but their ardour builds as the show progresses.

The show opens 29th June and runs for seven performances over two  weekends at the Tweed Heads Civic and Cultural Centre, cnr of Wharf and Brett St. Bookings are online at www.tweedtheatre.com.au, phoning 1800 674 414 or at Tweed and Murwillumbah Tourist Centres. Updates and photos are on the TTC Facebook page.

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