The Untold

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The Untold: On the verge

On the verge

BBC Radio 4 - The Untold, On the verge

Grace Dent presents a series documenting the untold dramas of 21st-century Britain.

A young musical theatre performer on the verge of a major West End breakthrough faces the vacuum and uncertainty of the COVID closure of Theatres.

In March this year the musical 'City of Angels' was about to open in the West End.  Sadie-Jean Shirley was one of the youngest members of the cast.  As well as a key role in the ensemble she'd also been chosen as a cover for one of the leads.  After years of training and earning her spurs in the business this was a real breakthrough moment for the 24 year old performer.  And then lockdown. 'City of Angels' didn't even make it to the first night.  
Producer Tom Alban has been in touch with Sadie-Jean since the summer as she faced the continuing hardship of a profession that couldn't operate and the desperate need to find income.  Sadie-Jean's plight has been shared by thousands of others but that doesn't make it any easier, and as a BAME performer in a world which is only recently seeing increasing diversity, there's a danger that people like her will not be able to afford the luxury of waiting for the theatres to re-open.  And if she can hold onto her chosen career, will  'City of Angels' still be viable? 

Producer:  Tom Alban

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Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Life Stories

A series documenting the untold dramas of 21st-century Britain.

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