Shameless boast

Who will buy, (Lionel Bart), gets me every time.

Who will buy
This wonderful morning?
Such a sky
You never did see!
Who will tie
It up with a ribbon
And put it in a box for me?
..................
Me, oh my!
I don't want to lose it
So what am I to do
To keep the sky so blue?
There must be someone who will buy...

fancyflowers - well done to your granddaughter and to all the other Year Sevens with her, and to the drama staff for their achievements. Like other gransnetters I've also seen productions I would never have thought possible from young children and teenagers and I always marvel at the talent which just goes to show that when school children are motivated and stretched they are spectacular. Not enough drama in schools in my opinion and not enough music. I bet they all put in lots of their free time in script-learning and rehearsals. And in Year Seven I assume they would all have been in a new school making new friends, so to collaborate on a stage production and be so successful says a lot.

AGAA4

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.

Hugely agree with this. My daughters were part of a youth drama group for several years, with weekly classes, drama productions and LAMDA exams. It gave them real confidence when they had to do presentations later on at uni and at work. And they learned lots about team work and supporting others too.
It is such a shame that performing arts are not properly recognised for the soft skills that young people build through participating. They never forget the school and drama club productions they took part in.

Proud grandma. Why not show it?

How lovely and so wonderful for all concerned. I can well imagine how proud you felt.

My DS played 2nd male lead in his school's productions of Guys and Dolls and Kiss me Kate. He had never done any drama or singing before, but was egged on by his best mate (who played the lead roles and went on to drama school and professional acting).
I was so proud to see this talent which had been hidden - strangely enough he never did any more.

DD did drama at A level, played the Edith Evans role in The Importance of Being Earnest - "a handbag?" She also never pursued acting, being more interested in her musical side. She now plays flute in a concert band.

Thank you for all your replies. It's lovely to read about other people's children's and grandchildren's experiences.

Both my AC were in youth drama groups in their teens . I was on the committee on one and used to do costumes and props . DH did back stage moving props and sets around . DS got a lot of lead roles in their productions . DD did chorus but it helped her confidence hugely .
DS went to drama school in London and got an agent straight after graduating. He did fringe theatre and commercials , but at 28 he decided he needed a regular job and is now an agent .
Drama helps with confidence and public speaking, which is so important in meetings and pitching ideas .
OP well done to your DGC and not an issue to be proud of them

How lovely. Such a great score and lyrics. Well done one and all!

Isn't it wonderful to see little loved ones doing well and enjoying themselves!

Savoury the moment ...

How wonderful! My grandchildren are younger, but I do always go to the local high school production, and the local theatre group one as well.

The effort from all; the orchestra, directors, stage hands, props, and how it all comes together at the end is fantastic. Last year we watched a great version of Shrek, The Musical. So much fun. We have no professional theatre available, so for me it is often the first time seeing some of these shows.

You have a right to brag, Fancyflowers!

Not a boast at all, you are giving praise when due. Well done to GD and school for all the work they put in to give such a praise worthy performance.

You just can't put a price on the benefits to everyone when schools have the resources to put on productions like this. Hurrah for the Arts - we should support them more! Congratulations to your Granddaughter @fancyflowers and well done to her supportive family too - they don't get there on their own!

In 1989 my son’s school decided to break away from the traditional Christmas play and do a production of Joseph. My son was chosen as the lead and we spent so long practising the songs I am still word perfect! I was so proud when they got a standing ovation . My friend’s daughter, who had a supporting role, went on to work in the West End and is now directing as well .

My grandson's school have recently performed ' The Adams Family' , his drama teacher tried to persuade him to audition for Lurch, to no avail - she knows he is a member of our local Op and Dram Society, along with his brother, sisters and his mum, as she has been in a number of shows at the society.

My grandson played Bill Sykes in his school production of Oliver when he was in year 6. The standard of acting from these children was amazing, I had tears in my eyes. All credit to the wonderful teachers.

This thread is such a good example of why the arts, performing and other, are so valuable and why their disappearance from school life would be tragic. From developing confidence to team working, from learning to look and listen to sharing responsibility, these experiences are valuable life lessons, and the staff who make them possible are heroic.

GrannySomerset

This thread is such a good example of why the arts, performing and other, are so valuable and why their disappearance from school life would be tragic. From developing confidence to team working, from learning to look and listen to sharing responsibility, these experiences are valuable life lessons, and the staff who make them possible are heroic.

Exactly.

On Monday evening I watched my GS and his Year 12 peers at the Brits School of Performing Arts showcasing 2 hours of musical theatre shows, past and present. The acting, dancing and singing were impressive and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing around these 16/17 year olds having the time of their lives. As others have said all aspects of performing has so many positives and should always be on the curriculum.

I agree with all of these comments about how school life, and later life, is enriched by Art,Music,Drama et al.
Of course we need to be literate and numerate, but there is life beyond Mathematics and English.

I absolutely love ‘Oliver’ and saw the Lionel Bart production in London many many years ago. More recently a friend of my daughter’s was head of drama at a girls’ school and they performed ‘Oliver’. It was wonderful and really would not have disgraced the London stage. A very emotional evening, as some of the girls were leaving to go on to university. I’ve seen many productions over the years - it is my favourite musical, along with Les Mis. Congratulations to your granddaughter, fancyflowers, you must be very proud.

Thank you for all your kind and encouraging comments.