After two years of Covid restrictions, performers at Shebbear College were able to return to the stage to perform together in the popular musical, Grease – a true triumph, 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 actors, singers and dancers, a crew of senior school pupils were also involved in the lighting, sound, stage-management, make-up and costumes.
“When I heard that this year we were doing Grease, I was so excited and keen to get involved!” said Charlotte Odlin in Lower Sixth, who played Sandy. “I have performed in the past but not in a role like Sandy, where all the three elements of singing, performing and acting come together so it was an amazing experience.”
Head of Creative, Digital and Performing Arts, Rebecca Sadler-Smith, who directed the show, 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!”
She continued, “Due to Covid restrictions, we 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! I hope the rest of the school has forgiven us all for coming back to school on the Monday and banging on about how fantastic the production was – but it was great – feel-good, vibrant, energetic and, most importantly of all, fun! I am so proud of everyone!”
Nathan Thorne 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 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.”
Another principal character, Frenchy, the pink-haired beautician, was played by self-proclaimed musical theatre geek, Niamh Shaw in Lower Sixth. “I’m studying Performing Arts and I have singing lessons at school which meant that Grease sounded amazing to me!” On how she portrayed her character, Niamh commented, “Frenchy was so fun to play because I was able to try out an American accent and wear quite an eccentric costume. I also sung ‘Beauty School Dropout’, which was a great opportunity.”
“My favourite scene had to be ‘We Go Together’ because it was a way to let loose and dance with our friends, and the lyrics were pretty funky!” added Jasmine Thorpe, also in Lower Sixth, who played Pink Lady, Marty. “She’s a fun character who’s a bit boy crazy, something I’ve never been! It was cool to portray a character pretty different to myself.”
Maximus Jordan 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.”
As the curtain draws on this year’s production, enthused audience members left the show in high spirits, commenting that you could see the enjoyment on the faces of all the cast members and feel the energy that radiated from them. Many were asking what next year’s performance will be – watch this space!
Categories: School News Shebbear College
