With almighty effort and determination, the Performing Arts Department staged four live, sell out performances of the long-awaited musical, Miss Saigon. The Musical was streamed into family homes across the last week of the Summer Term, by four cameras in stereo HD.
The musical captured the indomitable spirit of St John’s. Miss Saigon was originally scheduled to run in March it was moved to the end of the Summer Term to provide the greatest possibility of it going ahead. Alongside the truckloads of equipment which was brought into the PAC, professional TV producers and cameramen, a professional orchestra (joined by our very own Jimena on violin) and lighting and sound technical support were all on site to help make the experience as incredible as possible for the pupils after 18 months of unusual performances.
The leading players of Hannah, Will, Tommy, Josh, Harry and the double cast Daisy and Zoe gave astonishing polished, nuanced and emotionally mature performances; indeed every member of the cast gave their all and committed as if there were an audience in the room with them. It was a stunningly performed production, which also illustrated an extraordinary technological leap forward with approximately 1600 viewings in total. The feedback received has been phenomenal, and we are very proud of all the pupils and staff members involved in the production.
‘Wow – this was a fabulous show with some very talented young performers and musicians! Huge congratulations to all involved’.
‘It was incredible! I totally forgot I was watching a school production; it was West End standard acting & singing!’
‘Huge congratulations to everybody concerned with this vibrant, captivating, and poignant production of Miss Saigon. Amazingly achieved despite all the challenges of the last eighteen months, it is inspirational to those of us who are still waiting to be able to perform again’.’
Director of Performing Arts, Ollie White was brimming with pride, and commented: ‘It is rare to find a performance from a school that has such balanced performances; there was not one weak link among the cast, and it was possible to become absorbed in the performance and forget that you were watching school pupils. The experience was dramatically compelling and highly emotional for the audience, pupils and staff alike. The talent of our pupils and the committed staff in the department are truly making the Performing Arts fly at St John’s.’
We are very much looking forward to seeing what the new academic year has in store for the Performing Arts Department.
