Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, 18th and 19th March, saw almost 100 KS2 pupil assembled in the wings of the Arts’ Centre stage, ready to perform this year’s school play, ’Alice - the musical’. There was a potent mix of excitement, nerves, adrenalin and anticipation.
The performances were a great success and the children responded well, encouraged by the laughter and applause of the appreciative audience of parents, past pupils and staff. The audience enjoyed their sing-a-long slot and Helena Irvine, as a formidable queen of Hearts, drew a laugh when she pointed to the Headmaster, Mr Colin Moore, sat in the audience and said, "Off with his head!"
Producer, Mrs Elizabeth Smith said, "I am proud of the children who have risen to the occasion and performed with enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment."
The story was told by two narrators, Patrick McKimmon and Alicia Corlay-Gygax representing Lewis Carroll, and Alice’s dream sequences were interpreted by Year 4 and 5 girls in dances choreographed by Miss Lana Hamilton. Alice’s growing and shrinking moments were indicated by appropriate sound effects and by props and scenery growing and shrinking to reflect this. There was some super solo singing, confident and tuneful from a number of characters including: Lauren Blair as Alice, Helena Irvine as The Queen of Hearts, Sam Thompson as the Mad Hatter, Ruby Fern as the Mouse, Ayisha Ashworth as the White Rabbit, Mari O’Hara as the Cheshire Cat and Oliver Griggs as the Mock Turtle. The latter received most laughs for his dreadful puns.
eg. Alice: If your teacher was a turtle, why did you call him tortoise?
Turtle: Because he taught us, that’s why!
The youngest children, in Year II, were also warmly received, particularly the ’hedgehogs’ who had to curl up and be knocked through hoops with flamingos in the croquet scene!
Pupils and staff have worked hard with only 8 weeks of rehearsals. Lauren Blair, who took on the demanding role of Alice, was also busy gaining an academic scholarship to boarding school and playing in the Jersey island netball squad at the same time! Thanks go to all involved in helping with props, scenery, costumes and make up.
The children really enjoyed the whole process of rehearsal and performance, recognising how lucky they were to be able to use all the facilities of a professional theatre. Now, even though the play has finished, strains of the songs are being hummed and whistled throughout the school corridors. The dream is only fading away slowly as we turn our thoughts to next term’s summer concert!
Producer and musical director - Mrs Elizabeth Smith
Director - Mrs Jane Kiddie
Assistant Director - Ms Rachael Morris
Choreographer - Miss Lana Hamilton