A young performer who has rubbed shoulders with stars of the West End and Steps singer Faye Tozer has now lent her talents to a charity single.
Blacklaw Primary pupil, Katie Francis, took part in the recording of ‘You Can’t Stop The Music’ to raise funds for the Glasgow Philharmonia who give young, up and coming stars like her opportunities to shine they may otherwise not get.
She was one of 38 young people from across Scotland who took part.
Last year Katie performed in the Movies to Musicals extravaganza at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow – with the show able to go ahead just before lockdown.
The 11-year-old successfully auditioned again this year and is part of the kidscast 2021.
COVID meant that the main event at the concert hall with Britain’s Got Talent winners Collabaro in February has been postponed.
They have tour dates pencilled in for September and one of the venues is the Village Theatre in East Kilbride, which will hopefully go ahead.
But in the meantime, the kidscast recorded the original charity single for Glasgow Philharmonia.
Katie told the East Kilbride News: “I really enjoyed being part of it.
“We recorded in groups of eight complying with social distancing and then all the vocals were put together.
“It was hard with all of us not being able to be together but it’s turned out really well.”
She went on: “I loved being on stage with Movies to Musicals and I miss not being able to perform on stage. I was really looking forward to it, it’s been difficult.
“But one of the lines of the songs talks about being back to doing what we love one day – and we will.”
Katie, who loves musicals, is also a member of the Stellar Performing Arts School, Hamilton-based Valerie Brown School of Dance and the Vivace Theatre School.
She was also a body double in the 2018 Netflix smash ‘Outlaw King’ which was filmed across Scotland and told the story of Robert the Bruce.
Katie shadowed child actress Josie O’Brien who played Marjorie, the daughter of Bruce, played by Chris Pine.
Proud mum Fiona, originally from Gardenhall in East Kilbride, but now living in Blantyre, said: “It’s been such a hard times for all the kids, but Katie has handled it really well – despite not being able to do the things she love.
“With her various commitments she usually has something on five nights a week – so she is now dancing five nights a week in the kitchen with some classes now on zoom.
“The Glasgow Philharmonia gives young people amazing opportunities to perform on big stages at big venues for little cost so we’re delighted the single will raise funds.”
Producer of Movies to Musicals Ross Gunning said: “I don’t think it has sunk in yet for anyone. But Movies to Musicals, in association with Glasgow Philharmonia, have released our first ever charity single.
“Seeing these incredible young performers shine in what has been a horrendous year for the arts industry just brings a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.”
Composed by Glasgow born, Antony Irwin, and produced by Chris Kenny at 88K Productions, you can stream and download ‘You Can’t Stop The Music’ by Movies to Musicals in aid of Glasgow Philharmonia from all streaming websites. You can also buy it from Amazon.
More info is also available on the Movie to Musicals and Glasgow Philharmonia Facebook pages.
