Words by Smiley Team
The best things in life are often the experiences we share with others – and a new organisation is working to do just that, bringing the joys of the performing arts to everyday occasions.
Singing is winning – at least for the founder of Street Theatre UK, Kristina Loudon.
Street Theatre offers short musical performances of your favourite songs in your choice of place in select cities, or via personalised videos.
Speaking to Smiley News, Kristina explains how Street Theatre came about: “In late 2020 I heard my babysitter singing to my two-year-old while I was working upstairs. I'd known she was an actress, but I hadn't realised just how wonderful she was – and how beautiful her voice was – until that moment.
“It turned out she'd starred in Mamma Mia as Sophie on the West End! I have always loved the performing arts and music, and knew first hand how powerful a beautiful performance can be – but I also knew that the performing arts can seem unattainable sometimes, whether that'ss due to costs, or having young children, or travelling the distance to these wonderful performances.”
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Kristina wanted to find a way to support artists on a smaller scale between their contracts – and, at the same time, make the arts a bit more accessible for an "every day" type of occasion.
Street Theatre has more than 70 musical theatre actors and classical singers working in between gigs who have experience on the West End, at global opera houses, or graduated from some of the top performing arts schools.
They've been invited to perform for all sorts of occasions, barring the big holidays like Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Christmas, and have sung for many birthday surprises, anniversaries, and dinner parties.
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Some of their most memorable performances happened during lockdown, for example when an entire street came out their doorsteps to listen and join in.
"Most of our reviews, eespecially the reviews from the classical performances, were that it unexpectedly brought out a lot of emotion in people," adds Kristina.
“That people forgot how meaningful and moving music and live performances can be, meant even more knowing that their loved one booked this for them. After over a year without performing, the singers also were able to remember what it was like to bring that type of joy and happiness to people through their talents.”
You can find out more about Street Theatre and how it's making the arts more accessible on streettheatre.co.uk.
