Burnham-On-Sea actors Clare Hunter and Felicity Berry are performing the classic ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ at The McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater this month.
Felicity and Clare are no strangers to the stage, both coming from families with performance backgrounds.
The duo – better known as Floss and Clarey Fairy to friends and family – came together on stage for the first time in Weston Operatic Society’s ‘Crazy for You’ in 2015 just after Clare joined Bridgwater Operatic Society for their production of ‘Hairspray’.
They both grew up attending Jenny Taylor’s School of Dance and competed in Junior Arts Festivals.
Felicity performed with Bridgwater show choir and now choreographs for the Tacchi-Morris Show Choir.
Clare went on to perform across the country with her tap dancing before travelling the globe as an entertainer with First Choice, TUI and Park Dean Holiday Resorts.
Speaking to Burnham-On-Sea.com, Clare said: “We have both played Tuptim for our respective operatic societies and have grown up sharing a mutual passion for musical theatre and dance, especially tap!”
“I had known Floss’s grandparents, John and Jenny Groves, for years through the festivals, and her Mum played my mum in Hairspray!”
“We got talking about our favourite musicals and she told me hers was Crazy for you. That’s how she became a member of WOS in 2015.”
“A few months later Floss and I asked Jenny to help us prepare for an audition, the three of us in the music room worked on harmonies and scenes and in August 2016 we were thrilled to play June and Louise in GYPSY along with MUSES’ Director Cameron for WOS at the Blakehay Theatre in WSM.”
Both Clare and Floss continue to perform in show with both Weston operatic and Bridgwater Operatic, and last year the girls performed together alongside some of the finest dancing talent in the South West in BOS’s 42nd Street.
The girls are thrilled to be returning to the McMillan theatre this month with MUSES’ TP for a production of Singin’ in the Rain. Muses, which was created and launched by theatre lover Cameron Isherwood, who has performed throughout Somerset with several musical theatre and pantomime groups including WOS and Wayfarers pantomime society, has enjoyed success with past productions including Soho Cinders and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels also performed at the McMillan.
Singin’ in the Rain will be an exciting production for Muses to undertake, directed and produced by Cameron featuring a wealth of talent across Somerset.
Clare added: “What I love about performing in amateur societies nowadays is that you get to meet such a diverse group of talented people, we all have our quirks and specialities, and over the years I’ve been lucky to make some amazing friends and family through musical theatre.”
“MUSES is powered by Cameron’s passion for musical theatre and to entertain, to bring happiness to our audiences and enjoyment to those performing on stage. It’s infectious.”
“I grew up with many of the cast members of Singin’ in the Rain, whether it was in Carnival concerts in Bridgwater, competing in junior Arts or sharing the stage growing through the Oppitts into the adults of WOS. By joining together in one production you learn from each other and grow as a performer. This production is full of comedy, music, drama and dance numbers to die for!”
Cameron said: “I’m thrilled to have such a diverse talented group on board who have been working tirelessly to help create my vision for this iconic rom com. It’s safe to say I have a great friendship with both Felicity and Clare and I love the energy and imagination they both bring to the production.”
Not only is Felicity performing in the show, but she is taking on the role of choreographer alongside Samantha Aylott who is also playing Kathy Selden.
Samantha has played lead roles such as Sally Smith in Me and My Girl for WOS, and has choreographed productions for both the adult and junior section of the society including Cats, Spamalot and Half a Sixpence.
Finishing off the production team is Musical maestro and extraordinary talent Richard Lennox.
Self-taught Lennox, who has performed across the country in all walks of theatre from opera to rock, from the South West to the West End.
“Richard also started playing for the junior section of the WOS ‘The Oppitts’ years ago before going on to such success. He has MD’d for WOS’ 2017 award winning productions SHOUT! The Mod Musical and Half a Sixpence, and is now taking the post of Musical Director for their autumn production of CATS at the Playhouse in October and for BOS’s 2019 spring production of Sister Act. Needless to say, Singin’ In The Rain is in very capable hands!”
Clare and Floss are both looking forward to dancing together again on the McMillan Stage and hope to continue working together in future productions.
“Despite us both having busy jobs, our musical theatre family is a huge part of our lives and we couldn’t be who we are without them!”
Singin’ in the Rain run from Wednesday, June 20 to Sunday, June 24 at the McMillan Theatre in Bridgwater.
For more information and to book tickets visit mcmillantheatre.com or call the box office on 01278 556677.
