After two years of Covid restrictions, our actors, singers and dancers were able to return to the stage to perform together in the popular musical, Grease – a sensational success leaving the school buzzing with excitement!
Around 40 pupils aged 11 to 18 performed in the high-energy production with two sold out evening performances and a matinee, leaving audiences feeling uplifted after singing along to the classic tunes that took us back to the 1950s! In addition to the cast of performers, a crew of senior school pupils were also involved in the lighting, sound, stage-management, make-up and costumes.
Due to Covid restrictions, the production had quite a lot of interruption to rehearsals back in the autumn, including 6 weeks of being unable to sing together as a cast. Then, the week before the show, we had more Covid-related set-backs! The courage and resilience that the pupils have shown has been incredible and demonstrates true Shebbearian spirit – the show must go on!
Mrs Sadler-Smith, who directed the show along with Mr Pomroy and Mrs Parker, said “I have been involved in shows for many years now, and I don’t believe I have ever been as proud of a team of Performing Arts pupils as I am of our Shebbear Grease team. Their talent, energy and enthusiasm is just phenomenal!”
Nathan in Upper 6, who played Danny Zuko, juggling rehearsals with his A-Level studies, said “Grease was a major highlight of my year! Aside from the enjoyment of performing, the friends and bonds I made are fantastic. Even post-production the T- Birds and Pink Ladies still sing the songs together at break times as if we were in an actual performance! I will be at university next year but I’ll be back to watch the next production as I know it will be terrific!”
Maximus in Year 11 played the ultimate T-Bird, Kenickie and is a newcomer to the theatre stage, blowing audiences away with his captivating stage presence. “I auditioned for Grease to try something new - I've always wanted to try acting. Although I lacked in experience I really enjoyed learning how to act and sing and everyone’s engagement with the performance was great.”
Anyone that went to watch the show will have seen the enjoyment on the faces of all the cast members and feel the enthusiasm and energy that they radiated - as a member of the audience you couldn’t help but smile the whole way through!
As the curtain draws on this year’s production, enthused audience members left the show asking what next year’s performance will be – watch this space!
