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Shameless boast

(46 Posts)
fancyflowers Thu 12-Feb-26 22:35:12

We are just back from our granddaughter's school production of 'Oliver.'

It wouldn't have disgraced a West End theatre. It was absolutely superb. All the audience were on their feet at the end, and when the cast members came out to meet their parents, most of them were in tears. It was the last night and they were very emotional.

Our granddaughter (year 7) played an urchin, and it was wonderful to see her 'um pa pa- ing' with all the cast.
It's a large school of over 2000 pupils, so I'm guessing they had a large pool of talent to choose from.

Basgetti Thu 12-Feb-26 22:41:58

Fantastic! I played the Widow Corney in our school production in 1975 (also understudy to Oliver, I’ll have you know!) Brilliant production.
Hope you took copious photos.

Smintie Thu 12-Feb-26 22:42:18

It sounds wonderful! Congratulations to them all.

MartavTaurus Thu 12-Feb-26 22:53:18

Bravo that school and your talented DGD! The pupils will remember their success for many years to come, even for life.

I did smile at your reference to the West End. My DGD, stage school trained, is currently in Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver at the Gielgud. I'll put in word for a prospective future urchin!

fancyflowers Thu 12-Feb-26 23:58:14

MartavTaurus

Bravo that school and your talented DGD! The pupils will remember their success for many years to come, even for life.

I did smile at your reference to the West End. My DGD, stage school trained, is currently in Cameron Mackintosh's Oliver at the Gielgud. I'll put in word for a prospective future urchin!

On thank you, and congratulations to your DGD. You must be very proud of her. To be honest, I don't see our DGD on the West End stage, but it was great to see her in her school production.

I think it will give her a lot of confidence for the future. She says she wants to take part in next year's show.

keepcalmandcavachon Fri 13-Feb-26 08:09:03

How wonderful! I think acting and drama the most valuable activity for youngsters. Think of all the skills required, not to mention the sheer FUN!
Well done to your lovely GD and all the cast & crewsunshine

AGAA4 Fri 13-Feb-26 10:37:14

It should be encouraged. The confidence gained through acting shouldn't be underestimated.
My DGD went to drama school from a young age and took drama at A level.
She is now a very confident young woman in her final year at university.
I think drama has helped her enormously.

Chocolatelovinggran Fri 13-Feb-26 14:02:00

Excellent, fancyflowers. You should celebrate this success.
This is such a great thing for a school to do, and a good experience for all involved.

fancyflowers Fri 13-Feb-26 16:13:40

Thank you. I have pm'd you.

fancyflowers Fri 13-Feb-26 16:14:46

fancyflowers

Thank you. I have pm'd you.

This is to MartavTaurus

MartavTaurus Fri 13-Feb-26 16:36:01

fancyflowers

fancyflowers

Thank you. I have pm'd you.

This is to MartavTaurus

πŸ‘

Gran22boys Fri 13-Feb-26 16:36:45

Wonderful. And we must all support youth theatre in our own area.

rafichagran Fri 13-Feb-26 16:37:54

My Grandson played Oliver, so, so proud, his sister had just died, not my biological Grandaughter, she had other Grandparents, the school were concerned for him and the parents hasmd to give permission for him to carry on playing the part.
I did not see it , but apparently he was wonderful. I have so much pride, he has such a can do attitude and it has served him well.
Well done to your Grandaughter and her school OP.

LadyBridgerton Fri 13-Feb-26 16:54:52

fancyflowers

We are just back from our granddaughter's school production of 'Oliver.'

It wouldn't have disgraced a West End theatre. It was absolutely superb. All the audience were on their feet at the end, and when the cast members came out to meet their parents, most of them were in tears. It was the last night and they were very emotional.

Our granddaughter (year 7) played an urchin, and it was wonderful to see her 'um pa pa- ing' with all the cast.
It's a large school of over 2000 pupils, so I'm guessing they had a large pool of talent to choose from.

Oh, memories of the 1980s, OH had just done Joseph at his school where the girls went too. In Summer we took them to see it at Blackpool starring a 1960s minor pop singer, we booked an hour before the start and there were about 5 rows of people watching. At one point elder daughter sitting on the end of the 4 if us turned to her Daddy at the other end and said It's not as good as yours is it Daddy?. Unfortunately this coincided with a lull in the music and the star glared at her!

MartavTaurus Fri 13-Feb-26 17:12:53

What's nice is that these old productions don't appear to go out of fashion. My DH's old senior school recently put on Les Mis.

Of course the modern stuff has its place too, but give me The Wizard of Oz or Joseph any day!

Romola Fri 13-Feb-26 17:35:33

Thanks to all those amazing drama teachers and their volunteer colleagues who have spent endless non-timetabled hours getting the show going. As well as coaching their pupils for many weeks, they have organised costumes, scenery, lighting, music and transport. They have coped with the emotions and stress felt by their pupils, being endlessly encouraging.
Shout it out for those teachers.

TwiceAsNice Fri 13-Feb-26 18:24:52

Well done to your granddaughter it makes you so proud doesn’t it? My granddaughter has been in her school musical for several years and this year she has a lead role so am looking forward to it more than usual. She’s doing her first year of A levels with drama being one of them. I agree it has improved her confidence and self esteem no end

Deedaa Fri 13-Feb-26 20:55:58

My 9 year old grandson had only recently been diagnosed as autistic and had been having a lot of problems at school. the school was putting on Charlie And The Chocolate Factory and everyone was convinced that he would be perfect as Willie Wonka. There was a lot of discussion about whether he would be able to cope, but he was amazing and carried the whole show. For weeks afterwards I had total strangers saying "Oh you're Willie Wonka's granny!" It gave him a real boost at the time.

MartavTaurus Fri 13-Feb-26 22:20:30

Willie Wonka's granny! πŸ‘΅ πŸ˜‚ πŸ˜‚ πŸ˜‚ πŸ˜‚

Silvertwigs Sat 14-Feb-26 14:02:44

keepcalmandcavachon I echo that sentiment entirely 🌷🌷

gwyneth28 Sat 14-Feb-26 14:04:37

I love going to school productions, they put their heart and soul into it and always take lots of tissues.

Lallylou Sat 14-Feb-26 14:09:18

How wonderful and your not boasting. These are aspects of the upsides of being a grand mother! In fact cannot think of any downsides.

Janetashbolt Sat 14-Feb-26 16:04:49

I saw a 6th form production of Guys and Dolls many moons ago it was fabulous, I've seen many professional productions since, it was definitely as good.

Betony Sat 14-Feb-26 16:41:17

Well done, that school! Has anyone been listening to the Lionel Bart biog 'Fings Ain't Wot They Used to Be' serialised on BBC Radio 4?. When I was young I remember so called intellectuals sneering at his music, but the man could certainly write a hummable song. I loved the description of how he wrote and how the songs became standards; in particular how he refused to let a famous director 'improve' the delivery of the lyrics of that lovely song 'Where is Love'? Fascinating man. What a legacy he left. A lot of stars owe their careers to his work.

NannaFirework Sat 14-Feb-26 16:52:03

How wonderful -
It does your heart good to see such performances- relations or not, just magical β€οΈπŸ™Œ