Back in April last year, the drama and music team got together to discuss this year's show. Following the success of Mary Poppins last year (and Shrek and Matilda the years before), we wanted to put on a show that would further enhance the experience our students at Hampton College receive. We try very hard to create a professional theatre-like environment for our students and run an industry-like rehearsal process to give our students an experience far beyond the classroom. After intense auditions and difficult decisions on casting (because we have so many incredibly talented students to choose from!), we settled on our main cast members. Auditions were then held in September for our new year 7s who completed the ensemble, giving us a fantastic cast with students ranging from year 7 to 13. The months of intense rehearsals that followed built a set of relationships we hope will last a lifetime. We have seen friendships form across the year groups and, in particular, the youngest of our cast being awe-inspired by the oldest.
The cast were taken to the West End to experience the professional show of Oliver first hand. They left thoroughly inspired about how to bring life to their characters and full of ideas for our own production. Faster than expected, we arrived at the end of January, and the set was built, the lighting installed and we were ready to put on a show! After a visit to the care home where a selection of cast performed to the delight of some of the residents there, we arrived at show week! Across just 5 days, our 50 students performed an audience dress run to 100 students from Hampton Lakes, Hargate and Vale, 2 matinee performances to the whole of Hampton College Primary, and 3 sell-out evenings shows! Across the week over one thousand people came to see the hard-work and dedication pay off!
We continue to be incredibly proud to work with such amazing students at Hampton College and have the support of the school and Trust in doing so. We felt a huge sense of pride seeing those students perform night after night, and left knowing we had given our students the best experience we could. We were emotionally broken, physically shattered, but beyond proud of each and every one of them!
Now begins the process of finding the right show and our future stars for 2027!
Mrs Plane, Mr Copping and Miss Vickers
