Into the Woods
The Sondheim musical 'Into The Woods' was this year's school production, performed at Arden 1st - 4th March. This year we had over 140 students involved in the show acting, singing, dancing, playing and working in the technical team. The students produced a very visual production with a set comprising of a scaffold tower and several trees; complete with beanstalk, palace steps and a milky white cow! We chose to produce the full length, professional show and not the schools’ version which was a significant challenge. The students rose to this challenge performing with the skill, energy and sense of ensemble that we have grown used to in Arden productions. Particularly memorable were the vocal performances of Nicole
Rose, the Baker's Wife, and the characterisation of the Baker performed by Ciaran Walker. In his first Arden school production, Jack Carter in Year 9 performed the role of a Woodcutter and Wolf and was nominated by the cast for always 'Pursuing a Polished Performance', we hope to enjoy more of his performances in year 10!
It was the last school production for Will Davison who completes his A levels this summer. Will, who knows the lighting and sound desk manuals inside out, has headed up the lighting and sound team for several years; his skill and calm and patient manner will be missed. Despite the catchy repetition of the 'Into The Woods' tunes, the amount of sound and underscoring was vast for this production. It was also 'Performing Arts Spotlight's Personality' Megan Hathaway's last performance at school before she leaves to study music at university; I'm sure her 'bird song' composition will go down in Arden PA history!
Over 1,000 of you came to watch the production this year, celebrating the enjoyment that students get from the participation in the show. With such high aspirations for every aspect of the production the professionalism achieved is stunning; an opportunity for our pupils to feel proud of what they have achieved and part of the Arden family.
Photographs of the production can be viewed by following the link.
Auditions for next year will be in September... ...Grease is the word!
