The Drama With My Drama Teacher

Take A Chance on Me

Take A Chance on Me

The applause of the audience at the end of the show is deafening to us backstage. If the plan is going well, Chris should have excused himself to go to the toilet, and should be making his way backstage, led by Finn.

I wait by the side of the stage, checking with the stage manager that everything is set. Some very useful stage hands are hanging up the banner I had made.

I take a drink of water, doing some quick vocal exercises. Soon enough, I see Chris heading over to me. Well, he's being dragged over by Finn.

"Chelsea, I can't do this, at all" Chris tells me, his voice shaky. Finn deposits him at the side of me, letting go of his arm. He looks to be sweating quite profusely.

"Of course you can" I exclaim brightly, trying to give him some confidence. I hand him the microphone.

"No, I can't, no, Chelsea all those people will be staring at me" Chris points out, the hand holding the microphone shaking.

"But that's part of the fun" I say, smoothing down my dress. From the side of the stage, Xander nods at me, telling me that it's time. "Right, let's go!"

"Good luck" Finn tells Chris, who takes a few deep breaths before nodding his head. I drag him towards where we need to be. The lights illuminate the stage again, and there is a murmur of confusion from among the audience.

I lean up onto my tip-toes, and kiss Chris on the cheek for luck. I give him a wide smile, and head onto the stage.

"Hello everyone!" I greet, and there are a few cheers, which is reassuring. "I hope you've all enjoyed the show tonight!"

There are louder cheers this time. I avoid looking at Gemma, because I don't want to give anything away just yet. "There is to be an extra, unscheduled performance tonight, so be nice, and we hope you enjoy this special show!"

The lights dim again, and I hear the rest of the cast shuffle onto the stage. I see Chris walking forwards onto the stage, and I smile at him, but I don't know if he can see me in the dark.

The music begins, and the lights flicker back up. Chris is standing in the centre of the stage. I see him swallow, and inside my head I count down the beats.

I'm internally praying that he'll start singing when he's meant to.

Four... Three... Two... One...

"If you change your mind" Chris begins slowly, his voice very shaky "I'm the first in line... Honey I'm still free, take a chance on me... If you need me let me know, I'm gonna be around... If you've got no place to go, if you're feeling down"

"Take a chance on me" The cast joins in behind Chris, standing in an official chorus line. "Take a chance on me"

The chorus appears to have rejuvenated Chris, who gets a smile on his face and looks directly at Gemma. His hips begin to move in time with the music, his body loosening up. I take a step back, allowing him the limelight, and begin clapping with the audience in time to the music.

"Oh, we could go dancing, we could go walking, as long as we're together" Chris sings. I'm delighted to find that his voice sounds pretty good. He must have been practising. "Listen to some music, maybe just talking, get to know you better"

Chris begins strutting around the stage, pointing at Gemma in the audience. She squeals and giggles, thrilled by his performance. "Cause you know I've got so much that I want to do, when I dream I'm alone with you, it's magic!"

The harmonisation of the rest of the cast is beautiful, with some of them even adjusting the tone of their voices to suit Chris's better. The audience are loving it, and Gemma is mesmerised in the front row.