A 15-year-old Belfast schoolgirl who has written her own musical is set to have it performed on stage in aid of the NSPCC.
Keira Aiken, from Carrickfergus and a pupil at Belfast High School, has composed Bully – A New Musical, that is set to be staged at McNeill Theatre in Larne next month to raise funds for the children's charity.
She wrote the musical when she was 14 years old, with her writing the script and lyrics along with composing all of the music. It is a modern adaptation of 1990s bestselling book, Bully, by children’s author, Yvonne Coppard, which deals with bullying and its consequences for bullies and their victims.
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Keira first read Bully when she was about seven or eight after finding it in a box of her dad’s old books during a rummage in the attic, and a few years later after seeing the popular musical Hamilton, she became "obsessed" with them and decided to have a go creating her own.
She said: “Hamilton sent me down the rabbit hole of listening to every song that I could find and last year, I decided I’d like to try and write a musical in that sort of style myself.
“I was looking at my bookshelf for inspiration and remembered my dad’s old book. I realised that the theme and what it was about would be really relevant to young people today.”
Kiera started writing the musical after speaking with Yvonne, who gave her permission to adapt it as long as it was not for profit, with her choosing the NSPCC due to the work it does helping children who have been bullied.
She said: “The musical is very focused on children’s lives and the NSPCC is very focused on that as well, so I’m glad that what I’ve done will help that a little."
An exchange trip to America last summer, facilitated by Carrickfergus-based Uplift Performing Arts, gave Keira the opportunity to tell the company’s co-founder and executive director, Ryan Moffett, about what she had done and after presenting him with a complete package of words and music, he jumped at the chance bring Keira’s work to life.
“Whenever I first received the script, I was very impressed. It was a fantastic achievement for a then 14-year-old,” says Ryan.
“What’s really great about what Keira has done is that this 1990s book now has a very fresh, young, up-to-date feel about it.
“It feels like it’s almost been influenced by current musicals – such as Hamilton and In the Heights. The book has been transformed into a modern-day rap musical with a very important message for young people.”
Rehearsals are now well underway and while Keira isn’t among the cast of 16, she has been fully involved at every stage from auditions to direction.
Author Yvonne Coppard has also spoken of her admiration for what Keira has achieved. She says: “When Keira first approached me to stage Bully as a musical, she was only 14 years old, but I was immediately impressed by her ideas, her dedication and confidence.
“Taking a novel and seeing it through to the stage as a musical is a huge creative leap, even for a seasoned composer/director. I am absolutely delighted that Keira has pulled it off, and I wish the production every success.
“I have a feeling that the audience will be witnessing the birth of a major new talent.”
Bully – A New Musical, will be staged at the McNeill Theatre, Larne on Saturday February 25, at 2.30pm (matinee show) and 7.30pm. Tickets (£12 - £15) from: www.weareuplift.com
Children can contact ChildLine for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on: 0800 1111, or by going to: www.childline.org.uk
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