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Bridget Costello | WINNERS UPDATE name

Bridget Costello | WINNERS UPDATE

Posted by Christie Parkin on 15/08/2016

2013 AIMES 'Arts' winner bridget costello

 

I am thrilled to announce my one-year contract as Swing in Phantom of the Opera on the West End. Although I have had the contract offer since April, the official press release for the 2016/17 cast change was this week as the rehearsal period commenced. This is the original production and I will be joining the cast in its 30th year at Her Majesty’s Theatre. I have just completed my first week of rehearsals and have been inspired, challenged, and ultimately overcome with joy and fulfilment at living my dream.

A week into rehearsals and I have a much better understanding of what the role of Swing entails. I learn all six female ensemble tracks. A track involves a series of characters throughout the show. Each track has different harmonies, staging, movement and costumes. On the day of a show I will be sent an email with which track (or combination of tracks depending on sickness) I will be performing. I am what is classed as an off-stage Swing meaning I go on for holiday and sickness and I am told I will be performing 90% of the time. I am required to perform eight shows a week, matinees on Thursday and Saturday.

We have been rehearsing in the theatre and after one week we have covered all the musical material and have done most of the staging. As I am stood in a theatre with such a rich history, and am surrounded by talented and driven performers and creatives, I feel very grateful and privileged to be a part of this wonderful musical. I don’t think the novelty of entering through stage door and signing in will wear off any time soon.

Since I last wrote I have also played the role of Princess Beautiful in The Tinderbox at Charing Cross Theatre, and the role of Opera Singer in a Virtual Reality Commercial for Etihad Airways with Nicole Kidman. Please see link for the commercial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NxhilMIvzE. I am featured from 3.00 minutes. This experience was surreal: being flown to Abu Dhabi to film only a week after my initial audition; being on set with Nicole Kidman; working with CMS productions.

I have now been in London since September 2013 and will have used up my student and youth mobility visas by this August. In order to take up the Phantom contract I needed a new visa. I successfully obtained a UK Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa for the next five years and four months. The four months allows time to apply to settle permanently. This visa was a huge relief and means I can work in the UK long term and continue to further develop my career.

Of course, none of this would have come into fruition had it not been for your generosity in helping me to attend the Royal Academy of Music in 2013/14. I am forever grateful.

 

Warm regards,

Bridget.

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