West Side Story
As the clear up comes to an end and the Centenary Hall is back to normal, it is hard to believe that only a few weeks ago it transported us to the streets of New York for this year’s whole school musical, West Side Story.
Trying to pick something to match the success of Les Misérables last year, was a tall order, and the production team knew West Side Story was going to be tricky, being full of dance, the hardest musical score of the genre, and the emotional turmoil of the story. However, the over 120 students involved in this huge production rose to the challenge, and the school staged an incredible, sell-out immersive performance week at the beginning of March, so much so that some of the audience even came to all four nights.
To house such a big cast, and huge dance numbers, this year’s musical was performed in-the-round, with set pieces and even street lighting all around the hall, allowing the two rival gangs of ‘Americans’ and ‘Puerto Rican’ immigrants to play out Bernstein, Sondheim and Laurents’ take on Shakespeare’s beloved Romeo and Juliet. The audience enjoyed sitting around the action, and being able to get a close–up view of the energetic and complex iconic dances from the show.
This was a real show-case of talents both on and off stage. The orchestra was noted to be the best-sounding ever, the stage crew worked hard to bring New York to reality in the space, and all the cast showed huge commitment rehearsing multiple times each week from September to develop their skills acting in different directions, and of course memorising all the dance moves! There was even a marching brass band in the midst of one of the whole-cast dance numbers.
The leads were particularly exceptional this year, and the quality of singing and stage presence brought by Tony (Charlie Epps) and Maria (Avalon Vowles), along with Anita (Matilda Nicholls) and Riff (Robert Harrison) was incredible, being full of emotion and character. It is worth noting all the lead Jets too (Nathan Gribbin, Rupert Hill, James Gibbs, George Menter, Oscar Garbett, David Cooper, Guy Lewis and Josh Escott) who, opposite the Sharks (Jonathan Chant-Stevens, Austin Incles, Hugo Hedges, Arthur Sloggett, Sophie Chamberlain and Jasmine Smale) all worked hard to develop a gritty presentation of 1950s’ street-gang life.
Despite the achievement of such an inspiring performance, the end of the show brings a sadness for many involved. After nearly two-terms’ work, participation requires such a commitment of time and emotion that there can be a sense of loss when it is over. However, what is left behind is perhaps even more inspiring than the show itself: the memories and friendships, along with the skills, resilience and team-spirit of all involved will last a lifetime. And, of course, it won’t be long before we start planning next year’s spectacle!
