Edinburgh performers wanted for West End-style shows at world resorts

One of Europe's top entertainment agencies will offer local performers the opportunity to exhibit their stage talent at some of the world's most luxurious resorts.

Ted (The Entertainment Department) have announced auditions for Scottish singers and dancers at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts in Edinburgh next week, on November 21-22, with the opportunity on offer to perform at Tui’s Sensatori and Holiday Village destinations next year.

The company’s global search for talent stops off in Scotland’s capital before further auditions in Berlin and Barcelona, and successful audition candidates will be given the opportunity to perform at Tui resorts throughout the 2018 holiday season, rehearsing from January to March and working at the luxury destinations from April to October.

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After graduating from The MGA Academy with a diploma in Musical Theatre earlier this year, Gavin Birrell successfully gained employment as a vocalist at Tui’s Holiday Village in The Algarve. The 25-year-old has encouraged local performers to follow in his footsteps by auditioning for Ted next week. He said: “I really enjoyed the audition process as it was very relaxed and involved me singing a solo rendition of Always a Woman by Billy Joel and taking part in several group workshops. It felt great when I was offered a job working in Portugal as I’ve always wanted to combine performing with travelling.

“I would definitely recommend auditioning to other local performers as working for Tui was a great experience. Training at The MGA Academy really prepared me for working in the industry as it’s great fun but also hard work.”

“Sensatori is a luxury resort providing cruise ship-style entertainment of the standard you’d expect from London’s West End,” said Adele Leatham, Ted’s Sensatori account manager. “Tui has resorts all over the world, across Europe and in the Carribean, all on the beach and all stunning.

“We are looking for performers who have trained in musical theatre, dance, or singing, including anyone with specialist skills such as acrobatics, hand-balancing or breakdancing. They may join us as performers excelling in one particular area but they are given the opportunity to star in shows across many genres, including musical theatre, rock, and opera.

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“We always get a lot of talent from Scotland and, on many of our shows, we have had casts made up of talent almost exclusively from Scotland. Normally, you come from Scotland to London to gain work, but now that is starting to change thanks to the quality of training offered by the likes of The MGA Academy in Edinburgh.”

Dixie Brennan from Paisley, Ted’s Holiday Village account manager, said: “I love coming to Scotland as, quite apart from giving me an opportunity to return to the homeland, we always enjoy recruiting from a really high level of talent. The Holiday Village brand is very contemporary and entertainment is at the forefront of the customer experience. We’re looking for multi-skilled performers with strong vocal and dance ability and the huge personality required for such a customer-facing role.”

Murray Grant, Creative Director of The MGA Academy, said: “We are delighted to welcome Ted’s team to The MGA Academy to give some of Scotland’s best stage talent the opportunity to perform at Tui’s resorts across the world. Having seen MGA Academy graduates like Gavin go on to enjoy great success in the performing arts industry across the world, I’m delighted that the high standard of talent that exists in this country is being recognised by an increasing number of international casting agents who come to recruit here.”

Earlier this year, the Edinburgh-based academy became the first full-time professional training academy in Scotland to be awarded accreditation by CDET, the UK’s quality assurance and membership body for the professional dance, drama and musical theatre industries.