Taking to the stage, Year 7 students impressed the audience with a Roald Dahl-themed Performing Arts Showcase. With every pupil in the year taking part, and plentiful opportunities to perform, parents enjoyed the way performers transferred acting roles and moved from drama to dance to song.
The show opened with a performance of James and the Giant Peach, with the comedy of the scenes being a particular highlight. Actors played a huge variety of roles, from bugs and creepy crawlies to the formidable yet laughable Aunts. Every pupil had their chance to shine, with roles transferring from pupil to pupil, including the titular role of James. The physical elements of the scenes were also a highlight, transporting us into the magical world of James’s giant peach.
A group of Year 7 dancers then transported the audience to another of Roald Dahl’s famous settings – the infamous Crunchem Hall School, attended by Matilda. Dancers performed with confidence, technical talent and charisma, providing the show’s entertaining focal point with their interpretation of Revolting Children.
No sooner had the singing and dancing subsided, than we were taken into the moral and thought-provoking world of Danny, with scenes from Danny the Champion of the World. Again, pupils transferred a range of interesting and dynamic roles between them, as well as capably taking on more than one role within a scene.
Puppetry – showcased in all scenes from both James and the Giant Peach and Danny Champion of the World – added an engaging and entertaining edge, from the swooping seagulls on sticks to the pecking chickens and the visually effective shadow puppetry. The audience participation was handled with confidence and ease by the pupils, and their involvement in helping good triumph over evil was enjoyed by all.
Complementing the dramatic scenes audience members were treated to thematically linked popular songs, performed by half of the year group at a time with a great sense of community.
The songs were all the more entertaining due to the accompaniment of the adept senior pupil band, who played with great energy and support for the younger students. The Queen numbers, Don’t Stop Me Now and We Are The Champions were particular highlights, with We Are The Champions impressively involving the entire year group and ending the night with gusto and a real sense of celebration.
As well as the technical and catering staff, thanks must go to the Year 12 Pupils who provided skillful support with direction, backstage management and photography on the final rehearsal and performance day.
Huge thanks also goes to the Performing Arts Departments for their hard work across the year during the Year 7 Carousel, and for achieving such incredible feat. 120 pupils performed work of high quality alongside opportunities for all.
Notable thanks to Miss Atkinson, Miss Donyai, Miss Johnson, Mr Johnson-Hyde, Mr Kerswell and Mr Wickham for running weekly sessions and preparing pupils to be performance-ready. Finally, thank you must go to Mrs Lynsey Buhagiar, Head of Co-Curricular, Operation and Activities – the mastermind behind the carousel programme and the co-ordinator of this joyous event.
