Phantom of the Opera
For over nine months the Creative Arts department and Perins Youth Theatre worked non-stop to stage the sensational West End version of Phantom of the Opera.
The hugely ambitious project was made up of 120 Perins students forming the cast, orchestra and backstage team. The Main Hall was transformed into an incredible set, where the audience stepped back in time into the opera house of the Paris Opera Populaire. The special effects were inspired from the West End production and included a flying chandelier and a motorised boat.
For the dedicated team in Creative Arts, this production of Phantom was a dream come true and the students learnt valuable skills in what was an unforgettable experience. Marilitsa Alexiou, Director of the Creative Arts Department, said, “I was astounded by the maturity and dedication demonstrated by these pupils, both through their talents and their extraordinary sense of creative ambition. They showed a great sense of responsibility both to one another and also the staff who have worked with them.”
1,400 tickets were sold for the production and 240 local primary school children were invited to experience the production on the opening day.
The cast were amazed to receive a personal note from Andrew Lloyd Webber, wishing them luck for the production and, in addition, the Phantom of the Opera West End cast made a good luck video courtesy of Daisy Hulbert, an ex-Perins student who plays a leading role in the London production.
Head Teacher Steve Jones said, “I can honestly say that this performance not only surpasses any school performance I have ever seen but genuinely rivals many professional productions. I am incredibly proud of the students and staff for their hard work, dedication and talents shown throughout this process.”
Feedback and comments from the audience were fantastic too, with people of all ages saying they had never seen a school performance like it. John Gleadall, writer and creator of Musicals4kidz, saw the production and said,
“Congratulations to all involved. In over forty years involvement with school and youth theatre productions I have never seen such an ambitious musical production in a school. How brilliant to have a Performing Arts team who are dedicated enough to mount such a production and a leadership team, who must be bursting with pride, who can see the value of such a venture. Bravo, I applaud you to the rafters.” John added, “I never stand. I stood at the end of your show.”
