Geek kids show they're no losers

Sheffield-based Splinters Youth Theatre Company are performing Loserville next month at The Montgomery in the city centre.

Loserville was written by Elliot Davis and James Bourne, who is famous for being a member of pop band Busted!.

One of the show’s young stars, Jessica Nash from Clowne in Derbyshire, has also been cast in the writing duo’s new musical What I Go to School For.

The show is based on the life and journey of Busted! and features their hits such as Air Hostess, Crashed the Wedding and Year 3000.

The show has its premiere at the Theatre Royal, Bright0n next week in a production bythe prestigious company, Youth Music Theatre UK.

Loserville is set in a fictional US town of the same name in 1971.

Michael Dork, in his final year of school, has been working at Arch Industries, trying to develop a method to allow computers to communicate with each other.

He’s also seen a girl he likes – but can he actually pluck up the courage to speak to her?

Splinters works with talented youngsters aged 14 to 30, staging new, high quality and energetic shows each year.

Earlier during rehearsals for the show, the group were thrilled to receive a surprise video message and visit from West End performer Megan Louch.

Up-and-coming star Megan who comes from Rotherham, is currently part of the cast of the ever-popular musical Dirty Dancing which is touring the country.

However, her professional debut was in the role of Ivanka in the original West End production of Loserville, so she came to give the cast some tips and inspiration.

Richard Granger, who plays Michael Dork, said: “It was great she gave up her time to come and meet us.

“She gave us some brilliant insights to how the original pro cast created the roles and described to us the crazy ‘sci-fi’ costumes that were tailored for her to wear in the show”.

Megan said: “Doing Loserville is all about high energy performances and having a great time, and if they have half as much fun as I did, they will not only have an amazing time but the audiences will too”.

And just for a bit of fun, Splinters Theatre Group are encouraging their audience members to go in costume dressed as geeks.

The cast will be handing out a prize for the best-dressed audience member each night.

Loserville runs from September 21-24 with a Saturaday matinee.

For tickets, call 07790 413537 or email [email protected].

Tickets can also be purchased via the Sheffield Theatres box office. Call 0114 249 6000 or go online at www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

n Pictured here with Megan Louch, centre, are Richard Granger, Josh Holliday, Ellie Glover and Katie Webster.