Love can grow in unexpected places and the hardest of hearts can melt. These feel-good themes take centre stage in the school’s latest sell-out production, Beauty and the Beast.
One hundred and fifty pupils, assisted by many members of staff, sing, dance, act and play their way through this stunning musical extravaganza: Disney, George Abbot style.
Performances are uniformly excellent. While this is a full-scale ensemble production, special mention must go to Zaya, who plays Belle with exquisite grace and expression; Brandon, convincing as the dastardly Gaston; and Calvin, who brings real emotion to the despairing Beast. There are scenes of touching tenderness between Belle and the Beast as both glimpse that change and love are possible.
A talented cast extracts every inch of humour and pathos from well-loved characters such as Lumiere, Cogsworth, Wardrobe, Mrs Potts and the rest, all hoping the spell may break so they can become human once more. The chorus, choreographed by Ms Haste, performs with flair and precision.
The musical score is brought wonderfully alive by the Band, conducted by Mr Hartley. In their second musical production in two years, they are a credit to the school.
Staging the production two months earlier this year has meant an extraordinary level of commitment from everyone involved. Huge thanks must go to director Mrs Hunt, musical director Mr Hartley and everyone, both pupils and staff, who have worked so hard, on-stage and off, to make this thrilling production happen.
