They have been rehearsing hard for the musical with tickets now on sale
Pupils rehearse Oliver! six weeks before Hull Trinity House Academy puts on a show for the first time(Image: Sofie Jackson – staff)
Pupils at Hull Trinity House Academy have been working hard to put together a production of the musical Oliver! adapted from Charles Dickens’ classic novel.
In its new home off Beverley Road, the school now has a fully-equipped performing arts centre with a theatre space, including a stage, tiered seating, and professional lighting. Megan Read, Head of Performing Arts at Hull Trinity House Academy, said it has been her “dream job” to build the arts into students’ education and give them the opportunity to perform.
The 1960s musical – with book, music, and lyrics by Lionel Bart – is known for songs such as ‘Food Glorious Food’ and ‘You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two’.
Ms Read said: “This year, we’ve decided to put on the first big production in our new building. It’s the first year where we are co-educational and they are all together.
“We decided this year we would go with Oliver! as the production we wanted to put on. Lots of the students haven’t done drama before – some have, but some haven’t.”
She added that it had “been a bit of a shock” for pupils to see how much work goes into a production, but they have been enjoying learning lines and the responsibilities that come with playing a character on stage. “They are really doing well,” she added, “The show is in five weeks, so we have got another five weeks of rehearsals.”
Year 8 pupil Bobby, who is playing Oliver, said he has been enjoying the challenge of playing the lead and thought the toughest song was the poignant ‘Where Is Love?’ which he said was “quite hard to get the timing of”.
Bobby, who also does drama outside of school, added: “Drama is my passion.”
Performances are on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th March. Tickets for Oliver! can be bought by scanning the QR code on the poster or following this link to Ticket Source: ticketsource.co.uk/hull-trinity-house-academy/oliver/e-pdoydj
Hull businessman Danny Casey of Sapphire Signs has supported the production by making a free sign. Other schools under the umbrella of Delta Academies Trust have helped out by providing costumes.
Full cast list:
- Bobby Maskell – Oliver
- Aleksander Gawronski – Fagin
- Ruby Norman – Nancy
- Ellis Cass – Bill Sikes
- Louie Brearley – Dodger
- Kamile Jasaite – Widow Corney
- Zeb Yeats – Mr Brownlow
- Korinna Chatizwa – Mr Sowerberry
- Alona Rubcova – Mrs Sowerberry
- Elliot Matthews – Mr Bumble
- Jack Casey – Noah
- Makayla Utulu – Matron
- Sena Mijana Ragassa Lamu – Charlotte
- Hanifa Hermann – Bet
- Ensemble – Alisia Simionas / Esmae Dunn / Maksymillian Wedolowski / Lennon Ndamba / Alfie Stanyon / Uthando Chansa / Edward Peake / Princess Compton / Elif Nas / Poppy- May Cooper
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