If you love musicals, you'll adore this sun-drenched singing retreat in Spain
STANDING in front of a West End musical director, a professional vocal coach and a class full of singing enthusiasts, I begin to question all the life choices I've made that have got me here.
I don't often get nervous, but I'm now expected to start singing – aloud, and in a room full of people!
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I'm on a Sing, Eat, Retreat break, where each escape focuses on a different showstopping show.
I love musicals – I've seen Jersey Boys, Moulin Rouge, Six, Wicked and countless others multiple times – and the retreat I've signed up for is themed around one of my favourite films, The Greatest Showman, in the stunning surroundings of Tarifa on the most southern tip of Spain.
As a sound therapist, I know that belting out your favourite songs releases feel-good endorphins that can help to boost your immunity and lower stress levels, and that singing in a group amplifies these benefits.
But, even with that knowledge, I've never actually sung in public, not even karaoke.
Joining the cast
This six-night retreat is hosted at a sprawling mansion-style villa, Huerta Belinda, complete with an A-lister-worthy pool, intricately tiled courtyards and views of Morocco.
Stepping in, I feel like I've made it to the judges' houses on The X Factor, and that either Nicole Scherzinger or Simon Cowell will walk through the door any minute.
Once we're past introductions, musical director Steve Moss of Les Misérables and Mary Poppins fame, informs our group of 21 that he's going to treat us 'like a West End cast'.
And after a welcome dinner and drinks, we quickly settle into a routine.
Our days are filled with vocal warm-ups, ensemble singing, smaller group vocal tech sessions, where we learn about things like breath control and posture, and one-to-ones to improve individually.
A performance director also chats to us about staging and 'acting through song'.
Each day of vocal work starts at 10am, ends in the early evening and also features group rehearsals for the live public concert we're working towards.
There's some downtime to sit by the pool and soak up the sunshine, have a massage (for an additional cost) or use the sauna, but most of us end up using the time to try to memorise the lyrics.
The idea is to be 'off book' for the show.
Of course, all that singing builds up quite the appetite and, luckily, all meals (except one when we go to a quaint local hotel for dinner) are included.
Think continental breakfasts with eggs in the morning, mezze-style buffets at lunch and huge, hearty paellas, casseroles and roast chicken with veg for dinner.
There's also an endless supply of crisps, biscuits and cakes to snack on throughout the day, as well as sliced ginger, lemon and hot water on tap for throat-soothing teas.
Sing for your supper
Like any good ensemble cast, we are made up of a wide range of people – men and women, aged from 23 to 50-plus, with a doctor and teacher in the mix.
More than a handful have sung at previous retreats – one lady is on her fifth visit – and inevitably, there's an open-mic session in the main living room after dinner each evening to show off what we've learned each day.
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This place is a karaoke fan's dream come true!
If I'm honest, my first one-to-one session feels like an extreme version of rejection therapy.
Luckily, Steve happens to be one of the most charming people I've ever met, so I'm not even offended when, in between kind words and gentle encouragement, he tells me I need about 20 more lessons to become a half-decent singer!
Still, I leave the session feeling in awe that I'm learning from an industry leader at the top of their craft, and I'm excited to see where this experience will take me.
As the week goes on, we're also treated to an outstanding guest masterclass with West End star and vocal wizard Luke Bayer.
After the session, everyone is left buzzing with energy from his tips and direction, especially when he ends it with a bonus private performance of Dear Bill from the musical Operation Mincemeat.
This is Me
It's soon Friday night, the soundchecks have been done, the lights are up and the glass-walled garden room of the villa is teeming with locals.
MD Steve becomes our conductor, a round of applause welcomes us to the stage and, fuelled by adrenalin, everyone pulls it out of the bag as we perform several hits from the film, as well as an encore of Someone In The Crowd from La La Land, which is by the same songwriters as The Greatest Showman.
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The four strongest singers also perform solos.
I'm so proud of myself and my new pals that, under the bright lights, I resolve to join a choir so I can continue singing when I get home.
That night's open-mic session is even more jubilant.
Emboldened by my time on stage, I agree to be a backing singer for guest tutor Luke as he belts out And You Don't Even Know It from Everybody's Talking About Jamie.
We have so much fun and I can't believe I've gone from never singing in public to sharing a mic with a West End stage lead.
I've been to many retreats, but this one has helped me to connect with myself in a way I didn't realise I was even seeking.
From now on, I'm going to embrace my singing voice – even if I'm not yet ready for the stage!
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