Review of Show 2009 - "Cue The Music" A.R.T.S, Newton Flotman, which boasts 3 studios, reception area, office, shop, common room for Senior pupils and private car parking facilities, is home to over 350 pupils, from South Norfolk and the surrounding areas, who attend classes in Tap, Modern, Ballet, Disco, Street, Musical Theatre, Singing, Private Music and Ballroom/Latin (adults), every Saturday and weekday evenings. ‘Cue the Music’ was a celebration of some the world’s most well-known, and well-loved, movie classics and included such song and dance routines set to instantly recognizable, and equally dramatic, compositions such as ‘Jaws’, ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. Many numbers stood out this year, for many different reasons, showing the professionalism and versatility of the pupils, teachers and technical crew involved in the production. The sheer logistics of getting all 300 performers onstage for the finale should in itself be commended but to captivate an audience for 2 hours, performing most nights without a full cast due to swine flu fears and injuries, is quite a feat. But perform they did and the standing ovation received after singing and dancing their hearts out to the school’s very own Anthem was certainly well deserved. The school, and it’s productions, seem to go from strength to strength, much to the credit of principals Victoria and Janet Wright and the show’s co-creator Andrew Winship, who this year created synchronised movie screens to accompany each number, much to the enjoyment of the juveniles in the show who stood watching 101 Dalmatians every time their dance caused them to turn around! Choosing winners for the annual awards ceremony (to be held at Dunston Hall De Vere Hotel in November) may prove difficult this year but luckily pupils have plenty more productions to shine in with performances already set up for The Chicago Blues Brothers Tribute at the Playhouse Theatre in October, pantomime for the Onward Players early next year and an exciting trip to Barcelona in April….. ‘Cue the Music’! |
| Testimonials |
| To everyone involved in 'Cue the Music' a very big well done! It was a fantastic show and everyone connected to the show and ARTS should feel very proud. I certainly do! I cried my way through most of the Preview Show and was so impressed with the standard of performing this year. Thank you to everyone backstage and front of house who made it a joy to be a helper and thank you, in a strange way, to Sarah Ford for giving me the chance to also be in the Saturday performances! I am so lucky this year to have had the best of both worlds! Congratulations to Vickie, Andy and Janet for another incredible show. I know how hard you all worked and it definitely paid off! Well done also to all the teachers - your choreography was fantastic and this was one of the most diverse shows ever with brilliant routines all round. And finally, well done and thank you to ALL the pupils involved. You were all wonderful both onstage and off! And to all those that missed the show due to illness I hope you feel better soon. We missed you! Written by: Katy Stangroom |
| WOW WOW WOW!! This year the whole 'Cue The Music' experience was amazing! Every stage was exciting (and challenging!) from the moment the idea developed into a show, right up until the final finale on the saturday evening. Without Vickie, Janet and Andrew none of this could of happened - Thank you so much! The atmosphere throughout the whole show week - during rehearsals/backstage etc, goes to show how the school has grown. And along with all the amazing dancers, singers, actors and performers, I think that the community spirit and friendship at ARTS is one of our main strengths that you just wouldn't get anywhere else! It makes me proud to be part of such a fantastic family. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved in the show - it was you guys that made the show what it was! It goes without saying Vickie, Janet, Andrew and all the rest of the teachers, but also every single performer, backstage/technical/lighting crew, front of house crew, Philipa, Margaret + Jeannie, and all the changing room helpers! I have to say this years helpers were the best we've ever had - thank you for giving up your time!! Written by: Lisa Arnup |
| "Aarrrrrr me-hearties"!!
All I can say is WOW!!!!!!! What a show! I know I'm not the first one to say it, but this has been my favourite show to date (and after nearly 24 years with the school, I have a lot to choose from!). Congratulations to all the ARTS students, backstage crew, front of house team, student teachers, teachers / choreographers, and of course Vickie, Andy and Janet. On the one hand, last week felt like a whirlwind, but then when I think about what went into show week, from photos, to technical set up, to rehearsals, and then finally the big event, it's amazing how much we can pack into 7 days! I can't quite put my finger on what it was that made this show extra special, it just all seemed to work, and there was a really 'friendly' atmosphere backstage. Andy - the hours of sitting in front of the computer screen were so worthwhile as the video 'backdrop' was in my eyes a huge success. Add the that the massive job of lighting the show - well, just another success for you and Oliver. Vickie and all the teachers - brilliant routines, a fantastic mixture and contrast between styles and design. It's always a privilege to take part in the other disciplines, for me this was 'Step Up' street and 'Bond' modern, so thank you Alice and Vickie for that. A final special mention for my Best-buddy Kate (aka: Ace Stage Manager) - dancing with you remains one of my favourite things in life. Written by: Sarah Kirk |
| Wow what an amazing show! Well done to all the performers you were all little stars and should be so proud of yourselves, we certainly are. You were so professional all week and gave the 5 packed out audiences a show to remember. A special well done to all of my little doggies, animals, zip a dee do dah's and hairspray's who have been an absolute pleasure to work with over the last few months and I am so proud of all of you. It was a truely amazing show and every year we ask the question 'how can we top that?' but somehow (don't ask me how) Vickie and Andrew manage it - Thank you so much. Thank you to everybody who helped, we could not have run the show without all of you, there is to many to name but you know who you are. Finally a massive thank you to Vickie, Andy and Janet for putting on 'Cue the Music'. I don't know what we would do without you. You all work so hard and I am so proud to be part of such an amazing team of people and school, I would not change it for the world. Thank you for everything you do for me and the rest of the school, you know how much I appreciate it. Written by: Hannah Catchpole |
Having watched every 'ARTS' show since 1987 I feel well qualified to comment on its latest creation: 'Cue the Music' was brilliant! Andrew, Victoria and Janet's production was a credit to their commitment and dedication to the school. Every single performer, who 'trod the boards' ,was a delight to behold displaying standards only achieved by hard work and good teaching. The 'behind the scenes' crew as usual ensured the show flowed smoothly from inception to completion, and deserve special mention (they know who they are!). |
