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The Stopfordian 2011–2012
OLIVER! TITLE
Many students took to the stage in their first experience of
theatre at school. With many young cast members, including
the lead, Alexander Grant, who was in the First Year, it gave
opportunities for all years to be involved. Not only was a lot
of work put in on stage, but also backstage with a huge
support crew consisting of lighting and sound technicians,
stage hands, make-up artists, set and programme designers
and of course the wonderful orchestra, which was comprised
of some of the best musicians in the school.
Oliver! was one of the dramatic and musical highlights of the
year. The well-known musical written by Lionel Bart, based
on the original novel by Charles Dickens, was the life of nearly
200 pupils at the school, for many months. The four shows
would not have been pulled off without almost a year’s work
of rehearsing, starting with scripting and of course casting.
From then on, the committed cast were stretched to their
maximum both vocally and physically, as this upbeat musical
came with many group songs and routines, that all had to be
ship-shape before the performances in March.
The school recruited a dance teacher, Abbie Downing to push
us to our limits and to really help us get into the characters
that would be typically found on the 19 th Century streets of
London. With our dance shoes on, the cast were split into
youngsters, known as ‘Fagin’s Gang’ and the rest of us were
placed in the street scenes, with roses and apples and books
galore, to sell of course!
With all hands on deck, we managed to produce four
incredibly successful performances and the box office hit will
be remembered as one of the best, most professional
performances in the school’s history. This, however, could not
have been achieved without the amazing effort and
commitment of the staff involved. We are all grateful to the
willing teachers who volunteered their evenings to prevent
any backstage chaos and also those who assisted on the door.
Thanks go to a long list of individual staff; to Mrs Lockwood
for providing the lighting, yet again, and Abbie, the
choreographer, without whom our dancing skills would not
have been allowed to shine. Without Mr Dow’s musical
direction, chorus numbers and solos would have been lacking
and Mr Flaherty, our own Cameron Mackintosh, who pulled
all the backstage crew together. Our final thanks go to our
forever enthusiastic director Mrs Moffatt, whose theatrical eye
made the performances ones to remember.
Rosie Broadbent and Catherine Sharples (L8)
OLDER CHORUS
ROSIE BROADBENT’S (L8) STORY:
This was the first school musical I had been in and I
thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I loved working with all
the pupils and I made many new friends from all years.
Feeling a part of such a great team was amazing as we all
loved what we were doing and the happiness shared was of
reminder of why I love music so much!
CATHERINE SHARPLES’ (L8) STORY:
Having always had an active involvement in theatre, musical
and otherwise, outside the school, Oliver! was an opportunity
to share my dramatic passion in another part of my life. The
rehearsals may have been time-consuming and exhausting at
times, but this reminds me what I love about the practice: the
commitment. Both on and off-stage, a tremendous effort was
put in, making the show the success that it was. I think I speak
for all cast when I say that everyone could enjoy the show
with or without prior experience of musical theatre.
Music, The Drama Year’s and News Art 75