Our RWCMD Fellow and supporter, multi-award-winning actress Catherine Zeta-Jones has launched an inspirational Instagram Challenge – and we’re delighted and honoured that she asked the College to help get the creative ball rolling.
#TheShowMustGoOnCZJ aims to give performers an alternative venue to showcase their talents. And where better than Instagram where Catherine has over 3 million followers!
Catherine was honoured by the College at a glittering gala in New York
She asked the College to help her provide inspirational videos to encourage other performers to join in her Instagram Challenge. She said she can’t think of a more talented group of performers to help her kick this off.
Catherine has already shared this post from soprano Charlotte Forfar:
Catherine sent our students a personal letter saying how she totally understood their frustration and upset during this difficult time, and that she wanted to do something to help and support the creative community.
International Chair in Drama Matthew Rhys & graduate Georgina Sadler perform from Dylan Thomas’ ‘Under Milk Wood’ at the celebration of Catherine Zeta-Jones’ Fellowship
“Hello my friends at RWCMD.
I have been turning to my love of the arts to raise my spirits during this period.
I can’t imagine having poured all of that time and hard work into rehearsing, only to miss the final performance. I also know there are lots of talented people out there, of all ages, who would love to relive their past musicals, dance recitals or any performance really!
Most importantly, please be well. I know we all look forward to the better days to come.”
Catherine is encouraging performers of all ages to post a video of a planned, or past performance on their own instagram pages, using her hashtag #TheShowMustGoOnCZJ.
Musical Theatre graduates Emma Warren, Luke McCall, Vikki Bebb and Tom Vincent perform a Musical Medley in tribute to Catherine, arranged by John Quirk
She’s then reposting her favourites to help to showcase all the amazing talent out there.
“We’re delighted that our great friend and supporter Catherine has asked us to help launch this wonderful initiative!” said Vivien Care, Head of Musical Theatre.
“We’re still so committed to our training and each other, so this is a wonderful opportunity for our students to stay creative while we’re staying home.
The passion and enthusiasm from our students for this has been astounding, and it means a great deal to us know that we are part of such an important creative motivation in these unusual circumstances.”
The College hosted a glittering St David’s Day Gala Evening at New York’s Rainbow Rooms last March to honour Catherine, with students, graduates, friends and very special guests including Matthew Rhys and Kate Burton.
During the Gala evening, Catherine’s children, Dylan & Carys gave a lovely speech in honour of their mother, and were presented with RWCMD sweatshirts as honorary members of the Richard Burton Company by graduate actors Ben McGregor and Georgina Sadler
The evening, which showcased the talents of our music, drama, stage management and design students, also celebrated our 70th birthday, and Welsh and American culture.
Catherine was awarded her Fellowship by her long-standing friend, RWCMD Fellow and international musical theatre director Anthony Lyn. The Catherine Zeta-Jones scholarship was launched that evening and creates opportunities for both Welsh and US students.
Photography credits: Travis Magee, Dan Callister
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