7DAYS´INTERVIEW: Jesamine Scruton

Night at the Musicals

By Sonia Golt

Coming up on Friday 9th July is a very special musical because it is in aid of Childline Gibraltar and the whole thing originated due to a local and talented singer Jesamine Scrutton White. "I have had a small singing group since September 2008. We are part of the Transitions Academy and as such during 2008 and part of 2009 we took part in many shows organised by the Academy itself. Recently the dance section of Transitions Academy produced Thumbellina, but we were not needed to sing in this particular show. Because I believe that a show at the end of a "student" year is good as the students can show what they have achieved during the year, I thought it would also be nice to have something for the singers side of the Academy and this is how the idea originated to produce the Musical evening."

Jesamine, through buying raffle tickets in aid of Childline at work, found out from Caroline Olivero, Manager of Childline Gibraltar that not a lot of money was being donated to this charity and that got her thinking and putting two and two together. This triggered the idea of "Night at the Musicals" Jesamine who has on two occasions won the "Entertainer of the Year" award in La Costa, was the ideal person to get the group interested and the ball rolling towards doing a show, singing at the show and at the same time collecting all proceeds for Childline.

"I am very lucky as I have not had to do this all on my own. Although I started the group and have been running it until now, I have a great helper in my sister Lorraine Enriles, and as well as her we also have help with the choreography of all our interpretations and pieces as both Zoe Trinidad and Zyna Smith help us. I can't leave out Gillaine Alman, now director of Transition's School, or Derek Desoiza, who helped me too when the group was called "The Tarik School of Dancing" they gave me the opportunity to start the group and to have their studio to practice. We have received great advice on how to go about putting this show together, from Gillain and she was the designer of our logo too."

Jesamine Scruton might be new to the world of producing a show but most certainly not to the world of singing,.

"I started singing at the age of 8, and since then have been the vocalist for three different groups, the last one in Spain singing in the Costa Del Sol, where I won the entertainer of the year in Benalmadena, the first time I won it was in an amateur event but the second time it was as a true professional. I always felt that I would like to help other people who liked to sing and at the time, the nearest place to get elocution and singing lessons was in Algeciras."

What is your aim?
"I aim to collect as much money as possible for 'Childline Gibraltar' as this will help with the running of the Charity programme, which will in turn help the children of Gibraltar. If our money can help get more phone lines or better trained personnel I for one will be very happy. Secondly I aim to get my group noticed and to show how much talent there is still in Gibraltar which needs to be discovered."

What can we expect at 'A Night At The Musicals'

"Well 'A Night At The Musicals' is a variety show with lots of songs from well known stage musicals as well as Broadway and film musicals, the songs have been selected so there is something for everybody and for all ages. I promise there will be lots of laughter although there might be some tears too! It will be staged at Inces Hall on Friday 9th July at 9pm and tickets are already on sale. There are 18 people of different ages participating in this evening of music, the age ranging from 4 to 63. We even have newcomers, people who have never sang on stage before and this is there first appearance, but we have other very experienced singers from other local shows like 'Jesus Christ Superstar' - Oliver and other."

Do not miss this great night of entertainment, tickets are only £8, they can be purchased at Joost in Main Street, and it is aimed at providing entertainment for all the family.

The Bonita Trust facilitated the inauguration of Childline Gibraltar, a children helpline service for needy children, launched in conjunction with the UK charity. Following a successful first year of this children helpline service, a further grant was made following the triumphant fundraiser, The Big Kids Ball. Since its inception, Childline Gibraltar has helped more than 460 locals, with problems ranging from bullying to abuse.

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