STUDENTS transported audiences into their very own fairy tale with an enchanting musical performance full of tap-dancing rats, a singing donkey, lovesick dragon and no nonsense princess.
Windermere School’s theatre, Crampton Hall, was transformed into the world of the fairy tale last week and saw a cast of 50 students aged between 11-18 acting, dancing and singing their hearts out in musical comedy, Shrek The Musical.
And pupils did not let Storm Arwen get in their way of a five-star performance when the storm cut off their power 20 minutes after their penultimate performance.
After a week without power the young actors were able to perform their finale to huge applause a week after planned.
14-year-old Ben Platt took the title role as Shrek, while his loyal steed, Donkey, was played by 15-year-old Bow Homhuan who ‘charmed’ audiences with his soulful singing and comic timing.
Princess Fiona was played by 14-year-old Georgiana Balfour, whose vocals blew audiences away, and the crowd’s favourite ‘Morning Person’ was complete with a Pied Piper and seven tap-dancing rats.
12-year-old Grace Logan-Stephens took on the play’s villain and brought the house down with her performance as Lord Farquaad, and 15-year-old Patia-May Pickering gave a sensational performance as the fire-breathing love-sick Dragon.
17-year-old Alex Bousfield’s performance as Pinocchio, complete with an extending nose and dance moves ‘thoroughly delighted audiences’.
The big group numbers ‘Story of my Life’ and ‘Freak Flag’ choreographed by Ashley Johnson, got huge applause from the audience, and the final number “I’m a Believer” had the audience-albeit with facemasks-singing along and dancing in the auditorium.
The musical numbers were brought to life by the live orchestra led by musical director, Janet McCallum Hartley.
Director Rebecca Hurstwaite, said: “This was such a vibrant and joyous whole-school production. It has been wonderful to see our students put their hearts and souls into this musical and enjoy being back on stage.
“It was very special being able to perform this particular show to local primary school children who giggled away throughout and screeched with delight whenever our fairytale characters made an entrance!
“Unfortunately, Storm Arwen caused a power cut 20 minutes after curtain down on the Friday night performance and stayed off for a week. It was quite nail-biting, but we all felt ‘the show must go on’ and our final Saturday night performance was eventually performed a week later than scheduled.
“The cast and crew coped magnificently and gave a mesmerising final show which was loved by all.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here