The Performing Arts Department have been as busy as ever with a wonderful array of performances and events, whilst building their stamina in preparation for their musical theatre production at the end of term!
We were delighted to witness almost 100 pupils competing in the annual Forbes Music Competition, and the Forbes Winners Recital that followed. Pupils not only displayed some exquisite musicianship, but styles of music from across the board.
The most astonishing thing this year is that at the top level on every instrument, several pupils could have won. The depth and range of pupil talent is increasingly outstanding and demonstrates how St John's really is developing limitless potential in our pupils.
Oliver White, Director of Performing Arts
Our community have enjoyed supporting the ever-popular programme of lunchtime recitals, which see pupils from across the School perform to a warm audience showcasing the variety of musical talent at St John’s. This term we have already enjoyed three wonderful recitals, and look forward to ‘In Like A Lion, Out Like A Lamb’ on Thursday 9 March .
Alongside other events and performance workshops, 113 pupils were involved in the dance themed Spring Concert on Wednesday 1 March, ‘Yes Sir, I Can Boogie’. The PAC was packed to the rafters with an enthusiastic audience, who enjoyed performances from all our major ensembles playing music by Abba, Fame, Flashdance, through to ragtime. We were thrilled to see pupils performing the vibrant repertoire with fantastic energy.
To close the busy Spring Term, we are delighted to see the return of our biennial school musical. Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (School Edition), Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece is being performed by over 40 pupils at the Leatherhead Theatre on the 22 March at 7pm and 23 March at 2.30pm and 7pm.
As ever with musical theatre at St John's, the pupils are performing with a vim and emotional depth not often seen in people of their age. The atmosphere in the rehearsal room is electric, and really exciting.
Oliver White, Director of Performing Arts
This fictional Victorian melodrama gets the Broadway treatment in this thrilling, blackly comic musical, and the pupils are really getting their teeth into this fantastic show. It will be performed with a professional orchestra, all of whom are West End pit regulars, and a professional set aided by the expert team at The Leatherhead Theatre.
Tickets are available from The Leatherhead Theatre, and we welcome all to attend the performances, which promise to be a few hours of fantastic entertainment!
