S2 Ep1329: Vidar Hjardeng MBE - West Side Story, AD Theatre Review

RNIB Connect Radio’s Toby Davey is joined again by Vidar Hjardeng MBE, Inclusion and Diversity Consultant for ITV News across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands for the next of his regular audio described theatre reviews for 2025This week we are celebrating 20 years of Stage Experience the Youth Theatre Company at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham with their production of ‘West Side Story’ through the talents of the young performers with description by Professional Audio describer Remy Lloyd.About Stage Experience and their production of ‘West Side Story’.Stage Experience, the Youth Theatre Company based at the Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham celebrate their 20th anniversary with the iconic musical, West Side Story. Inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, West Side Story is not only one of the greatest love stories of all time, but it also features a stirring score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim including Tonight, I Feel Pretty, Maria and America.Tony and Maria are two star crossed lovers, caught between warring street gangs. Will their love conquer the bitter Sharks and Jets rivalry or will it all end in tragedy? With dazzling dance, mesmerising music and a sizzling storyline, get ready to see the stars of the future shine on stage.Based on a conception of Jerome Robbins. Book by Arthur Laurents, music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Entire original production directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Originally produced on Broadway by Robert E. Griffith and Harold S. Prince, by arrangement with Roger L. Stevens.This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. You will find more about Stage Experience at the Alexandra Theatre on their Facebook page which can be found on the following link or by searching for them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/alexandrastageex?locale=en_GB (Image shows the RNIB Connect Radio logo. On a white background ‘RNIB’ written in bold black capital letters and underline with a bold pink line. Underneath the line: ‘Connect Radio’ is written in black in a smaller font)