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25 November 2021
A pupil from Kilgraston School in Perthshire has been picked to perform alongside acting legend, Dame Maureen Lipman, in London’s spectacular, ‘West End Does: Christmas’ show.
Twelve year old Chloe Bloice will travel to Cadogan Hall, in the heart of the capital’s Chelsea, to take part in the all-star cast, showing on 19 December.
“From the age of six, I have dreamt of being on a West End stage, so this is the best Christmas present ever,” said Chloe, continuing, “This will be my first trip to London, so my whole family – mum Susie, dad Gary and younger sisters Lily and Ella – are going from our home in Perth to the capital to stay while I rehearse and hopefully see some of the sights, including Hamleys toy shop, Harrods and the London Eye!”
Chloe secured her part in the musical theatre production through performing arts school ‘Stage Box,’ in Edinburgh, where she attends classes each week: “Kilgraston has been incredibly accommodating with her hectic rehearsal schedule,” said Susie Bloice, Chloe’s mum, “she regularly attends Front and Centre Musical Theatre training weeks and, together with LAMDA Musical Theatre and Acting grades taken at school, singing with Perth’s ‘Fair City Singers’ and the School’s choir, it is a lot to fit in, but she just absolutely lives for life on the stage!”
Chloe started her musical theatre career with Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s performance of ‘Scrooge’ where she played the lead role of Tiny Tim: “That experience gave me confidence and even when I had lots of butterflies, everyone encouraged me to keep going, which is so important.”
Being on a Drama Scholarship at Kilgraston has helped Chloe combine academic lessons with the performing arts. Her singing teacher, Coleen Nicoll rehearsed the song, ‘Almost nearly perfect,’ from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was used as part of Chloe’s audition to get the West End part: “It was great to record the song in familiar surroundings,” said Chloe.
Head teacher of Kilgraston, Dorothy MacGinty, commented: “We have all taken such pleasure in charting Chloe’s progress within the arts and are immensely proud of her many achievements. Watching youngsters’ pursue their passion is what childhood should be all about.”
