TALENTED students at a County Durham school have staged a show that’s a sure-fire bet to have been a big hit with their local community.
Around 30 young performers from Wolsingham School delighted audiences with a run of the Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls, about gamblers and gangsters in the New York underworld.
It was the fourth annual production since the tradition of staging musicals was revived at the school following Mary Poppins, Oliver and Matilda.
Principal members of the cast were: Jacob Robinson, Taylor Reed, Charlie Stevens, Anna Eastwood, James Maaz-O’Connell, Amelia Parsons, and Thomas Stephenson.
The show was produced by Head of English, Anna Oulton, and Head of Music, Nerys Angel.
Mrs Oulton said: “Some members of the cast have been involved in all four shows, and it has been a joy to see how their confidence has grown. For other cast members it’s the first time on stage, and it’s been lovely to see how everyone has supported each other.”
A matinee performance was presented to Wolsingham Primary pupils, followed by three shows to entertain members of the local community.
Rehearsals began in January, with cast members devoting two hours after school every Friday. As well as the performers, Year 11 students formed a hard-working stage crew.
Charlie Stevens, who played Nathan Detroit, has ambitions to be an actor. He said: “It’s been so much fun, and a really warm welcoming experience.”
Amelia Parsons – alias Sarah Brown – is one of the students who has appeared in all four shows, and is also aiming for a career in the performing arts.
She said: “It’s been amazing. I keep coming back for a reason – because it’s such a fantastic experience. It’s a great way to build connections with people you might not make friends with otherwise.”
Taylor Reed, who played Benny Southstreet, wants to be a dancer and said the show was an exciting opportunity to make use of his choreography skills.
James Maasz-O’Connell, who performed his first solo as Sky Masterson, said: “I’ve done all four shows and when I started in Mary Poppins I would never have thought I could perform a solo, but the experience has given me the confidence I needed.”
