The Chicken Shed Album released on 24th November 03

The Chicken Shed Album released on 24th November 03

A host of today's biggest stars have recorded an album to support The Chicken Shed Theatre Company and help celebrate the company's 30th anniversary. The Chicken Shed Album features exclusive performances from the hottest names in the music industry including Emma Bunton, Gabrielle, Sir Cliff Richard, Elaine Page. Actors Kenneth Branagh, Bob Hoskins, Richard O'Brien are also lending their support. All the artists featured on the album are donating their royalties from the album to the Chicken Shed Trust.

It is released on 24th November 03 on Chicken Shed Records.

The Chicken Shed Album features songs written by Chicken Shed over the last 30 years. Elaine Paige was instrumental to the creation of the album after expressing an interest in recording 'We Need Each Other', written by Chicken Shed's resident writer Paula Rees. Once the idea of an anniversary album had formed, other Chicken Shed supporters immediately came on board. The response was overwhelming. The album includes 'Watch Me Come Alive' performed by Sir Cliff Richard, 'Sometimes' sung by Emma Bunton, the poem Elijah written by Paula Rees and read by Kenneth Branagh and a recording of The Wedding Dance by violinist and conductor Dmitry Sitkovetsky.

The album also features Barbara Dickson, Misty Oldland, Sam Brown.

All the artists featured on The Chicken Shed Album are avid supporters of the company. Bob Hoskins said, "There is something very magical about Chicken Shed - it's a combination of talent, goodwill, intelligence and a whole lot of heart. When any kid off any back street can walk onto that magic space we call the stage and create something magnificent - thats Chicken Shed!"

In addition to the performances by established artists, the album also features three tracks by members of Chicken Shed. Trail My Soul features the vocal talents of Jo Collins, Chicken Shed's co-founder and Director of Music. Jo was awarded the MBE for her Services to Music in 2002 and has spent much of her life ensuring music is accessible to young people.

The track First Love. Lucia Bellini, Joanne Merritt Maria Payne and Justine Johnson from the Chicken Shed Youth Theatre perform this track with the Chicken Shed band.

The third Chicken Shed track, I Am In Love With The World was originally featured on the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Album. Due to popular demand, the track was released as a single and gave Chicken Shed their first top 20 hit.

Chicken Shed is a professional performing theatre company and was founded by Jo Collins MBE and Mary Ward MBE. The organisation has gone from strength to strength since it's humble beginnings in a chicken shed in Barnet. It is now one of the largest theatre companies in the UK and continues to work on the basis that the performing arts should be available to everyone.


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