The annual production is always a highlight of the school year and this year's 'West Side Story' spectacular was no exception. The cast of students from years 7-13 captivated audiences night after night with their professional dancing, acting and singing.
Click play to see a selection of imagery from the sell-out performance of West Side Story:
By Mrs Pankhurst, Director of West Side Story and Deputy Head of School
“I say Go! Go!" And GO it certainly did. From auditions in October through to the closing performance on the 30th March, West Side Story was a resounding success. West Side Story is the modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Set in America in the ‘50’s, Riff and his Jets become embroiled in a feud with Bernardo and his Sharks. Tension mounts when, Tony, falls for the beautiful sister of Bernardo - Maria. Despite the best intentions of the young lovers, and protected by the glamorous Anita, tragedy strikes. A much-loved musical, West Side Story began as a Broadway production in 1957 before hitting the screens in 1961 and being awarded ‘Best Picture’ at the Academy Awards that year.
The Birkenhead incarnation featured students from Year 7 through to Year 13 (and also one year 5 and a Physics Head of Department) alongside a team of dedicated staff, all working together to act, direct, accompany, and create a production elevated above that of ‘school show’.
When I first proposed the idea of West Side Story to colleagues, both at School and with theatre experience, I was met with a range of responses - from ‘you are mad’ to ‘I wouldn’t’. I received helpful comments on how children were not capable of that level of choreography, to the music requiring professional singers. I am sure, and the reviews from audience members, will bear this out, that this wonderfully talented group of students proved them all wrong!
It would be impossible to single out the most accomplished performers, as one audience member put it ‘even those with no lines in the crowd are amazing’ and so instead I would like to mention those for whom this is their final production. Holly FitzHerbert, our Head of School was astounding as Anita. Her stage presence, beautiful voice and accomplished acting earned her the accolades she fully deserves. Also taking on a leading role in his final year, Euan McGrath played a vulnerable and entirely believable Tony and he will be sorely missed next year. Also in her final year at School, Katie Leyland has been part of the orchestra for many years and an integral part of the team and I sincerely hope she joins us next year if she can take some time off her university studies.
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Holly FitzHerbert playing Anita
This year we also had some ‘firsts’. The run began with two charity performances for Autism Together and The Hive Youth Zone. Both audiences and the cast enjoyed these opportunities and they are set to become tradition. Another highlight of the run was the Matinee Lunch which also included a delicious meal and is firmly in place for next year too. The Matinee Lunch also included a certain Pete Price in the audience, and his glowing review on his Radio Show has been shared with excitement on Twitter.
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Euan McGrath playing Tony
I feel privileged and humbled to be able to work with this wonderful community. The students involved are talented, modest and excellent company and the staff are committed and generous with their time. It is especially important to acknowledge the talents and time of Philip Robinson and Louise Smeaton, without whom we could not produce a production of this standard and quality.
With another wonderful production now a memory, we look ahead with excitement to the announcement of the 2020 production!