SK1 RE-COMMISSIONS SCHOOL MUSICAL AND SIGNS NEW PRESENTER DUNCAN JAMES
- Mentorn Media to produce eight part series - 7 x 60' with 1 x 90' finale
- Nearly 1000 schools have applied to take part - selection process now underway
- School Musical will transmit this summer
Sky1 has commissioned Mentorn Media to make a second series of School Musical. Following on from the success of last year's Hairspray: The School Musical, the series will return with new host Duncan James taking on the challenge, a new hit West End musical to be staged and another school setting out to pull off the production of their lives.
In response to popular demand a nationwide audition process is currently underway. Close to one thousand schools have come forward in the hope of taking part this year. Following these auditions, three schools will be selected to compete in a final sing off to determine which school will be putting on the show. And then the hard work to put the show together will really begin.
Duncan will be ably supported by the hit team of choreographer Stacey Haynes and vocal coach Zoe Tyler as he works to transform a cast of high school pupils into West End stars.
Duncan commented: "
I'm really excited to be involved in the show as I've always loved musicals. It's a fantastic opportunity for the kids, as well as a massive challenge. I'll be pulling out all the stops to make sure they succeed!"
Donna Taberer, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment, Sky1, 2 and 3, said: "
We were absolutely thrilled with the success of last year's Hairspray: The School Musical. Kingsmead really rose to the occasion and exceeded all expectations. We've been overwhelmed by the response of schools wanting to take part this year and we're very excited about the talent waiting to be discovered. I'm delighted to welcome Duncan aboard also - he's both a fantastic role model and talented performer and I'm sure the kids will enjoy working with him."
Dan Barraclough, Head of Factual Entertainment for Mentorn Media, added: "
Hairspray: The School Musical was an amazing experience for everyone involved. To see a group of ordinary kids from Enfield pull off a West End show was really special. We're absolutely delighted to be able to bring back the series for Sky1 and this time make it even bigger, with a nationwide search for the school to launch the series and an even bigger musical for the kids to try and pull off."
Hannah Wyatt and Dan Barraclough are joint executive producers for Mentorn Media. The series was commissioned by Donna Taberer, Commissioning Editor, Entertainment for Sky1 and will transmit on Sky1 and Sky1 HD this summer.
