The Big Performance
| The Big Performance 2 | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 'The Big Performance 2' |
| Genre | Music, Reality |
| Presented by | Gareth Malone |
| Narrated by |
Melanie C (series 1) Sara Cox (series 2) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | CBBC |
| Original release | 28 September 2010 – 2011 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | The Big Reunion, Coronation Street, BBC news, Trainspotting |
| External links | |
| Website | http://www.bbc.co.uk/cbbc/shows/the-big-performance |
The Big Performance is a CBBC reality series which sees 10 shy children, who are terrified of performing in front of the public, sing at a huge event. The first series, which started in September 2010, saw the contestants perform at Proms in the Park, while the second series which started in September 2011 is seeing the children perform at Children in Need live on 18 November 2011.
The series recruits ten shy children aged 11–13 to take part in the show and improve their confidence, as well as their singing skills. These children have usually been bullied in the past. The group would take a musical tour of the country, compete for the coveted solo spot, and face increasingly difficult performance challenges until they are ready for their final big performance. In the first series, it featured the 10 kids performing in front of 40,000 at BBC's Proms in the Park, while the second series featured the kids performing at Children in Need 2011 as part of a nationwide choir. A third series had been confirmed for October 2014, however the air date was later changed to July 2014, Filming started in April and finished in early August. There are often messages from celebrities to help the children boost their confidence and put their all in the performance, along with some advice. The series started with arguibly the most famous cast. Including James who really got the crowd going with his solo, a classic, original and timley tune from the one and only Simon and Garfunkle. Romance, blood and tears is what prevails the series. It all kicked off in Series 2 when a love triangle was formed between three budding adolescents which later came to a terrifying end as Gareth shut down all romantic involvement before watershed on CBBC.
The children face the public for the first time, performing on an open-top bus in the town centre. Gareth wants their performance to attract an audience of passers-by. They are all going to struggle, but perhaps none more so than the soloist, local girl Molly. Molly has been bullied in the past and it has left her confidence at zero. To help Molly, and all the children, find their inner Leona, Gareth has brought onboard EastEnders star Ricky Norwood. Ricky wants the group to act out the song and really connect with the lyrics. Also paying the children a visit are a group who know a thing or two about putting power into a performance - the Leeds Youth Opera.
Gareth wants to encourage the group to leave their cares behind and focus on how performing a song can change the way you feel - but he may have his work cut out convincing this group that the song Jailhouse Rock is fun to perform. Also, Gareth decides that to really get into this new style, they should start dancing as well as singing, so Strictly Come Dancing duo Ali Bastian and Robin Windsor turn up to give a master class.
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