Year 5 production of Oliver Jr!
Posted on: February 1st 2023School News
Every year 5 pupil at The Manchester Grammar School performed Oliver! JR., the Broadway Junior version of Lionel Bart's classic musical based on the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. For many pupils, this was the first opportunity to perform in front of a live audience of parents, members of staff and fellow pupils, due to the widespread effects caused by the covid-19 pandemic.
The story is set in Victorian England and the streets are brought to life as Oliver, an orphan in a workhouse, becomes the apprentice of an undertaker. Oliver escapes to London and finds acceptance and friendship amongst a gang of pickpockets led by Fagin. Oliver is then captured for a theft that he did not commit and the kind Mr. Brownlow takes him in. Following this, Fagin fears for the safety of his hideout and gang and so he tasks the sinister Bill Sikes and the sympathetic Nancy to kidnap him back, therefore threatening Oliver’s chances of finally discovering what true family life is like.
The production was jam-packed full of cheerful and joyous songs like "Consider Yourself", "Food Glorious Food", and "Oom-Pah-Pah", and showcased the wonderful talents of a large ensemble cast.
Year 5 pupil Aoli wrote about his experiences of performing in the production: “To get a main part in the musical, I had to join an audition, a singing audition and an acting audition. I thought that it would be stressful and worrying; however, I was still more determined than ever that I should go to the audition as I thought this was an amazing opportunity. At the audition, there was only a small group and you had to sing or act several lines in front of a small audience. All there was left to do was to wait for the results…Soon, the results came back, and I was almost too happy about it because I had got a main part that suited me well.
“Before I knew it, I was in the theatre rehearsing the full show. There was a lot to work on as some lines went wonky and I learnt how expressive and into character you needed to be as well as some movements for the group songs. At that time, I was nervous that I didn’t get my lines right but at the same time I was overwhelmed at being in a theatre my second time. We spent time in the theatre for two whole weeks until the first performance! I was on stage facing a big audience: the theatre was crowded. To be honest, I was just as anxious as you would’ve thought I was at that moment, but I did my best to keep my anxiety from reaching my expression and to sing out as much as possible. It was helpful that Mrs Callaghan was in the tech box at the top helping us and pointing out actions or the next line”.
He added: “If I said everything went completely perfectly, I’d be telling you a lie but everyone tried their best and we covered up all the mistakes. A the bowing in the end of the show, I was proud of my performance and was not nervous at all. After the first show the second show went much better and my parents loved the whole show. In my opinion, I believe that this show went amazingly and that it was a great as well as unique experience for me. The whole school was still humming ‘Food, Glorious Food’ a week after the last performance”.
Year 5 pupil Aaron spoke about his experiences, saying: "I was delighted to perform ‘Oliver Twist’ by the great writer, Charles Dicken, with the whole of Year 5. It was about how the poorest people in society are treated the worst, therefore reflecting the character Oliver. The singing and acting was an amazing experience for me and my year. I could tell there was a lot of laughter and pleasure floating in the air of the theatre, which was a beautiful special area to rehearse in. Staging a production in such a limited time was nerve-wracking. I felt like it was a bore just waiting backstage for my time to act, but I learnt that to be patient and watch people acting was what I would benefit from most. Nearing the date of the performance, my confidence grew, encouraging others to flourish and step out of their comfort zone, which led to us all enjoying the moment on stage. I must say that all the teamwork paid off when we had finished our breath-taking performance, and like everyone says, the teamwork makes the dreamwork. We all had a great few weeks delving deep into the world of ‘Oliver Twist JR’."
Thank you to Aoli and Aaron for their write-ups about the audition process through to the performances and well done to everyone in year 5 who performed!
