A fantastic sell-out Senior School production of Oliver! ran over four nights at Stockport Grammar School in March.
A fantastic sell-out Senior School production of Oliver! ran over four nights at Stockport Grammar School in March. From cast, chorus and orchestra, to backstage, technical and marketing teams, the production saw 180 pupils from First Year through to Upper Sixth involved in a seamless and highly energetic show.
Notable performances came from Sixth Former Ollie Mills who played a charismatic Fagin with excellent vocal ability and musicality. Fellow Sixth Former, Natalie Clarke sang a highly emotional ‘As Long As He Needs Me’; the highlight of her role as Nancy. First Year pupil, Alex Grant played a sweet-voiced Oliver Twist and a lively portrayal of The Artful Dodger came from Third Year Jack Carter. Jamie Rahman, Sixth Former, gave an extremely menacing performance in his role as Bill Sykes. The cast and chorus were supported by the accomplished show orchestra, conducted by Director of Music, Michael Dow.
The cast, orchestra and crew also spent a morning delivering a ‘workshop’ to Lower School pupils, where they performed several numbers from the show as well as being ‘in-conversation’ with teacher Mrs Chris Muscutt, sharing their experiences and discussing what is involved in putting on a show of that scale.
Not satisfied with his starring role in Oliver!, Ollie Mills also wrote the music and lyrics for the Junior School’s original show Clusical the Musical which was staged just two weeks later. A comedic murder-mystery full of eccentric characters boasted polished performances from Year 6 pupils, who will surely go on to star in the Senior School productions in years to come.
