Author hails Co Antrim teenager as ‘major new talent’ after 15-year-old adapts hard-hitting novel into modern-day musical
A musical written by a 15-year-old Co Antrim schoolgirl will be staged later this month at the McNeill Theatre in Larne.
Keira Aiken, a pupil at Belfast High School, wrote and composed Bully – A New Musical when she was only 14 years old.
The talented teenager from Carrickfergus, who is studying for her GCSEs, not only wrote the script, but also the lyrics and composed all of the music as well.
Keira’s work is being brought to life by Uplift Performing Arts, on Saturday February 25. There will be a matinee and an evening performance, and all proceeds are being donated to NSPCC.
The musical is a modern-day adaptation of the 1990s bestselling book, Bully, by children’s author, Yvonne Coppard, which deals with bullying and its consequences for bullies and their victims.
It tells the story of Kerry, a girl who is bullied because her damaged leg makes her different. But when she decides to fight back, things don’t turn out as she expects.
Keira first read Bully when she was about seven or eight after finding it in a box of her dad’s old books during a rummage in the attic.
Years later, she became a fan of musical theatre after seeing Hamilton, which uses hip-hop, rap, and rhythm and blues to tell its story.
“I’m now obsessed with musicals,” says Keira. “Hamilton sent me down the rabbit hole of listening to every song that I could find and last year, I decided I’d like to try and write a musical in that sort of style myself.
“I was looking at my bookshelf for inspiration and remembered my dad’s old book. I realised that the theme and what it was about would be really relevant to young people today.”
Keira set to work and after contacting author Yvonne, was granted permission to adapt and bring it to the stage as long as it was a not-for-profit production.
She immediately thought of the NSPCC and the work the charity does to help and support young people who are being bullied through its Childline service, which is free to contact 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
“The musical is very focused on children’s lives and the NSPCC is very focused on that as well, so I’m glad that what I’ve done will help that a little,” adds Keira.
An exchange trip to America last summer, facilitated by Carrickfergus-based Uplift Performing Arts, gave Keira the opportunity to tell the company’s co-founder and executive director, Ryan Moffett, about what she had done and after presenting him with a complete package of words and music, he jumped at the chance bring Keira’s work to life.
“Whenever I first received the script, I was very impressed. It was a fantastic achievement for a then 14-year-old,” says Ryan.
“What’s really great about what Keira has done is that this 1990s book now has a very fresh, young, up-to-date feel about it.
“It feels like it’s almost been influenced by current musicals – such as Hamilton and In the Heights. The book has been transformed into a modern-day rap musical with a very important message for young people.”
Rehearsals are now well underway and while Keira isn’t among the cast of 16, she has been fully involved at every stage from auditions to direction.
Author Yvonne Coppard has also spoken of her admiration for what Keira has achieved. She says: “When Keira first approached me to stage Bully as a musical, she was only 14 years old, but I was immediately impressed by her ideas, her dedication and confidence.
“Taking a novel and seeing it through to the stage as a musical is a huge creative leap, even for a seasoned composer/director. I am absolutely delighted that Keira has pulled it off, and I wish the production every success.
“I have a feeling that the audience will be witnessing the birth of a major new talent.”
*Bully – A New Musical, will be staged at the McNeill Theatre, Larne on Saturday February 25, at 2.30pm (matinee show) and 7.30pm. Tickets (£12 – £15) from: www.weareuplift.com
*Children can contact ChildLine for free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on: 0800 1111, or by going to: www.childline.org.uk