Last year, thousands filled the seats of Usher Hall to watch one of Edinburgh’s most anticipated student events: Medics’ Reveal. The show is in its 12th year and is now a registered charity, having raised over £224,000 in support of Teenage Cancer Trust (TCT). On 4 April, the University’s medical and nursing students will perform at Usher Hall again, in hopes of not only entertaining, but continuing the show’s tradition of fundraising.
The show is no easy feat to organise. This year, upwards of 300 people are involved, including organisers, committee members, and dancers. I spoke with this year’s committee to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes.
Though the event culminates in one night, preparations start months prior. “We’re organising stuff […] 12 months a year,” says Jenna Milton, one of this year’s co-ordinators. “It really is more of a full year effort than it seems.” Despite the hefty time commitment the production requires – which consists of dance rehearsals, committee meetings, other charity events, and socials – all committee members spoke to how much they enjoyed being a part of it.
“It’s hard to say how intoxicating it is,” says Isla Tierney, one of this year’s creative directors. “The thought of not being involved next year […] is terrifying.”
The show is not only beneficial for TCT, it also provides participants with a sense of community, particularly among medical students. Tierney recounts the “buzz” present in the medical school café the day tickets for the show are released each year. “People do see this as the medical school social event.”
When asked about how they reconcile a cause as honourable as raising money for TCT with what is nearly a full-blown strip show, the committee emphasized the money raised and the people TCT benefits is the most important thing, despite the occasional awkward interaction that can arise when explaining the show. “I get very red trying to explain it,” says Katerina Davis, a welfare officer. But “when you explain why you’re doing it, how much money they make year after year […] I think people do understand it.”
Indeed, Medics’ Reveal encourages participants to throw themselves into something new. Lois Dobson, another welfare officer, spoke about dancers’ experience with this: “This is just everybody trying to muck in and do their best, and part of that is getting it wrong. We’re all learning how to do something that no one really has any idea how to do.” The event gives students the opportunity to let loose outside of their rigorous degree demands: “That’s really positive about Reveal, about doing something that you just might not be very good at,” she says.
This led to a discussion on the vulnerabilities of performing in the show. There are different “strip levels” dancers can perform in, corresponding with what they’re comfortable with, and, as Erin Tipper, a co-ordinator, states, even dancing in front of 2,000 people is already stepping out of some people’s comfort zones. Ultimately, the show encourages dancers to put themselves out there. It allows dancers to build their confidence as they progress: “each year a lot of people progress up the strip levels as you start to become more comfortable with it,” says Dobson. Tierney tells me about the process of teaching choreography: “[Dancers’] confidence change is crazy, from them looking at you like you’re crazy to you [saying] ‘they’re going to love you on stage.’”
The committee speaks to how dancers also become more confident in their bodies throughout the show. Milton says: “They find it really empowering, and they actually feel that they develop a lot of body confidence.” Tipper recounts her own experience progressing through the strip levels: “The buzz you get from the audience” incited her to “go and do the next level.” “I think body confidence is something that we all struggle with, but when you hear that audience you can’t not feel amazing.”
Going forward, the Committee says: “We just want the cast to have fun, we want it to be a sustainable thing to do.” As Reveal continues to attract larger audiences and more participants, sustainability is a priority. Their concluding remark was: “Come see the show.”
Image provided to The Student by Jenna Milton