By Mr Keating-Roberts (Director of Music)
On Monday 12th June, the Assembly Hall was transformed into an off Broadway Cabaret Club with atmospheric lighting and relaxed table seating. Students from both BGS and Bedford School treated us to an amazing evening of Musical Theatre at our annual Evening with Musical Theatre event hosted here at BGS.
The Consort Choir kicked proceedings off in emphatic style with their performance of Masquerade from Andrew Lloyd Webbers’ Phantom of the Opera and a high energy rendition of One short day from Wicked. Leading us into some glorious reflective performances after our high energy introduction, Toby L’Estrange, Angus Timmins and Polly Taylor and Georgia Wiltshire providing a cathartic release of emotions with songs from the Scarlett Pimpernel, Miss Saigon, Songs for a New World and Oliver! Interspersing this were some fantastic duets from Sarah Pepper, Ella Bowis and Toby L’Estrange ably shifting from the aspiring gangsters of Bonnie and Clyde through to the frighteningly disturbing ‘Have a little priest’ from Sweeney Todd, complete with actual Priest Pie!
Our Bel Canto Choir finished off the first half with a stirring performance of Not while I’m around from Sweeney Todd also and raising the roof with ‘One day more’ from Les Misérables.
Opening the second half of the concert Year 7 student Bella Pringle gave a stunning performance of Memory from Cats showing an amazing range of tone and power. This impressive standard was consistent throughout the second half with Amber Chapman’s powerful performance of Into the unknown from Frozen ll, an emotional performance of Quiet from Liberty McNiff and effortlessly controlled and poignant performances from Rosie Freear, Alice Toone, Aadya Betadpur and Polly Martin; performing pieces ranging from Dear Evan Hansen through to Musical Theatre classics such as Merrily We Roll Along.
The evening was topped off by an utterly fantastic duet of Defying gravity by Year 7 students Olivia Deverill and Elizabeth Oliver, that had the audience completely spellbound…
It is always fantastic to see Bedford School and BGS performing together and all the performers should be incredibly proud of themselves for an awe inspiring display of talent. Thank you to all our students and accompanists, Mr Boynton, Mr Roberts and Bedford School student Harry L’Estrange supporting the performers. Bravo to all of you!
