Actors bring musical theatre back to life in outdoor show

Knutsford student Lewis Baron teamed up with West End star Charlotte Wakefield to return to the place where they both performed for the first time.

West End star Charlotte Wakefield and Lewis Baron

The pair staged a charity concert at Egerton Primary School and raised £800 for the Theatre Support Fund, which provides financial assistance to one of the industries hardest hit by the pandemic.

Lewis has formed a new company, Knutsford Together for Theatre to give showcase live performance.

The cast of Knutsford Together for Theatre on stage at Egerton Primary School field

"I am a performer myself and throughout lockdown I was extremely bored as we had no work," said Lewis, 19, studying theatre and performing arts at Salford University.

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"I have worked with lots of people in Knutsford and put out a post to see if ask if anyone was interested in a socially distanced musical theatre performance."

Ben Evans Clarke, a theatre technician and musical director responded with a cast of enthusiastic volunteers.

Lewis Baron, Ollie Ball and Tom Langham

The team staged a show, performing songs from hit musicals at Egerton fields, and received rapturous applause.

"The response from the audience was absolutely phenomenal," said Lewis. "People sat on rugs and picnic chairs.

"It was wonderful to go back to our roots and perform in a space we grew up in.

"Everyone absolutely loved it. Knutsford is a theatre rich environment and to be able to come and see live theatre was really special for lots of people.

"It was lovely to see amateurs and locals coming together after such a long time of isolation."

Guest star Charlotte, 30, has performed in many big West End shows and TV productions.

"We both went to Egerton Primary and Knutsford Academy," said Lewis. "My dream is to follow in her footsteps, doing more theatre and TV roles and making acting a full time job.

"I love escaping the real world and performing. It has really helped my mental health. It makes me happy to be on stage.

"I enjoy the energy off the audience and the applause."

Lewis is bursting with excitement as he hopes to develop the new theatre company.

Lewis Baron has lots of exciting ideas in the pipeline

"I have lots of plans for workshops, concerts and full shows," he said.

"I hope to work with churches which have lovely spaces.

"I would love to work with the council and try and do more stuff outside. There is a lovely little triangle of woodland area outside the main entrance of Tatton Park.

"I have learnt so much from this process about music, staging and funding. It is the first time I have ever produced and directed a show.

"Now that everything is opening up, I am really excited and would love to do a lot more."