SHOW 2006 - 'Encore'

By Hannah Catchpole (Head Girl 2006)

Well where do I start!?! It has been just over 10 years since I first started going to dance classes with Janet and I have seen ARTS go from strength to strength. Each show I have done has always been an improvement from the last (even though several times I thought it was not possible!) and this year was certainly no exception!

 

Encore came about after a lot of thought and discussion and it was decided that because it was in 1986 that Janet started doing classes in this area that it would be a 20 year anniversary celebration. Each piece of music or section in Encore was taken from or influenced by all the shows and events done over the last 20 years.

 

There were many different sections to Encore including Mary Poppins, Lion King, Grease, Annie, A Chorus Line, Disney, Chicago and Moulin Rouge. Also included were dances like Black and White which was taken from the idea of the ARTS Black and White evening, Riverdance from Her Majesty's theatre 1999 and Nutcracker from English Youth Ballet.

All dances, drama pieces, songs and sections were amazing as always but the pieces which stood out for me were ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' in Mary Poppins which included many of our students doing a spectacular rendition of the stage version, the Disney Parade because it brought back many memories of the 2 fantastic times we have been with ARTS, and of course the Lion King not just because of the wonderful music involved but also because ‘The Circle of Life' was my first show and it is where my love of dance began.

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Thursday evening arrived and although starting to get a bit nervous I was excited at the same time, because I couldn't wait to see all the hard work that had gone into Encore pay off. All students, teachers, staff and volunteers had worked so hard over the previous months to put together this fantastic show that I just knew it would all run smoothly!

 

Backstage was as ever buzzing and very hectic with costumes, make up, and French plaits taking place, but as soon as 7.30 arrived and the beginners were in the wings, nerves and excitement came upon us and a big adrenalin rush kicked in for everyone! The audience were all seated and the show started! From beginning to end it was a fantastic show and from comments I had heard from front-of-house we were definitely off to a flying start!!!

 

The next 3 shows just got better and better and of course the gala night (Saturday), was extra special with awards and food before the show for the audience to watch and enjoy. It was so nice to see the smiles on the students faces when they had won an award, it is always a hard task for the teachers to choose the students who get awards because each and every one of them is talented, and special in their own way. I was very surprised when I was awarded Head Girl to the school, and feel proud of what I have achieved. A big thank you goes to Vickie for all her help and support over the show and for all the hard work she put into producing such a wonderful show and letting everyone enjoy this fantastic experience. Also thank you to everyone who helped out, it is a team effort, and without you the show could not run! I am so pleased to be part of such an amazing school, bring on show 2007!!!!!