What an amazing week we have had during the Academy production of Oliver! Oliver! is a classic musical, one that many of us are familiar with. Although a commonly performed show, we felt that the beautiful story, so full of drama, pathos and tension, and balanced so perfectly with the more light-hearted comedy moments, was one we had to address. We definitely made the right decision and loved every moment of both the process and performance. The students and staff alike worked tirelessly from September to ensure that harmonies sounded perfect, characters were convincing and the set looked authentic (the art department spent hours perfecting this).  We were overwhelmed this year by contributions made to the production by staff from every area of the Academy and also from the parents of our students.

This was truly a whole Academy production with over 200 students from Years 8-13 taking on a variety of roles, from performers to technicians and set designers to instrumentalists in the band. Our students have once again impressed us with their dedication, creativity and skill. It’s fantastic to see how the show develops from auditions to three sold out performance evenings. The students learn so much from this experience and it is great to see their sense of pride and belonging as new friendships across all year groups form. It has been lovely to welcome Year 8 students to their first production, as well as students who have joined us for Sixth Form from other schools. Every year we become more ambitious and the students rise to the occasion with maturity and grace. The atmosphere around the Academy during the week of the performances was so exciting and vibrant; these memories are something I hope the students take with them well beyond their educational careers.  From the principal performances to ensemble roles, from the first timer Year 8s to veteran Year 13s, from the backstage team to the band, I am sure this was a production they will never forget.

I had the privilege of sitting in the auditorium each evening, despite being on my directors talk-back unit cueing the various elements that bring a performance to life (sometimes quite a pressure when unexpected things happen ‘live’!). My vantage point enabled me to see the show come alive each evening.

Food Glorious Food set the scene of Oliver’s downtrodden workhouse. The youngest students in the cast mastered the complicated choreography using the 100 wooden bowls and entrances from every angle of the auditorium. When Oliver sang his first solo line ‘Beautiful food’ I could see smiles throughout the audience as our Year 9 student Alex’s wonderful portrayal of this vulnerable yet feisty character began.  Mr Bumble and Widow Corney were hilarious in their comic interpretations that seemed to get even funnier with each performance. The Tim Burtonesque depiction of Mr and Mrs Sowerberry fitted perfectly with the gothic style set created by the art students involved.

We were then hit with the ensemble expertise brought by our Year 10-13 students in Consider Yourself - the way they filled the stage in colourful costumes and full of life was so exciting. Meeting the Artful Dodger and Fagin played by Sam and Finlay in Year 11 was a treat for us all, their boundless energy and attention to detail were impressive for performers of their age. A personal highlight for me was how each evening the last choral line in Fagin’s rendition of Reviewing the situation became longer and longer; the band dealt with this skilfully. It’s hard to believe that Leah who played Nancy is only in Year 10; her version of one of my favourite songs ever As Long as He Needs Me was delivered with depth well beyond her years.  Act two began with Om Pah Pah, I think the student’s favourite by far! The atmosphere quickly changed with the entrance of Year 11 student Jack’s Bill Sykes; his threatening persona meant his presence on the stage was impressive as the story took a darker turn. Who will Buy added light relief and showcased others students’ beautiful singing and dancing talents before the climatic ending unfolded. After perfecting Sykes’ fall to death in rehearsal with stunts, crash mats, and a variety of different cap guns, the students did an amazing job in building this tense atmosphere.

Thank you to all those involved; we are truly sad that it is over but we look forward to the next production. We have really felt a strong sense of the arts community at Wren this year, stronger than ever before. I am proud to see the performing arts spirit continue to grow, building a tradition of creative strength throughout the Academy. 

To see a selection of photos from the production, please click here.

Sophie Leader
Head of Performing Arts