Broadgreen orphans a worthy addition to NayCol musical

Drama teacher and production director Verity Davidsen says there were many factors that led to her and musical director Nigel Weeks making this choice.

“It’s a well-known and popular musical that we both knew fairly well. [Nigel] also likes the music – very important! We could also get the rights fairly easily,” she said. “Lots of people were in it themselves at school and have fond memories. [And it’s a] good story with important social issues explored.”

The cast features 43 Nayland students in lead and supporting roles and - in a first - also includes 35 students from Broadgreen Intermediate. This collaboration has come about through the music outreach programme run by Nigel Weeks. “It’s a really good opportunity having the Broadgreen kids come in. That’s what we’re trying to do, this community thing,” he said.

The intermediate students have been rehearsing for about three weeks now. Year 8 students Keita, Alice, Nevaeh and Aislinn say they enjoy singing and being involved in shows and that’s why they put themselves forward for this production.

“We’re playing the orphans that are starved and depressed and hungry for actual food, not just like slop,” Alice said. “You sort of have to be in a different mood because the orphans back then, they weren’t ever happy so you have to be sad and galumphy,” Aislinn added.

“Last week they made a joke. To make it look more real we could deprive ourselves of food for a while and not eat food for a week,” Alice explained. “So we’re even more miserable,” Aislinn chimed in.

Singing the iconic song ‘Food, Glorious Food’ at the start of the show is a big part of the intermediate students’ roles. “It’s a bit nerve-wracking but at the same time it’s real fun being around with other people and singing on the stage,” Neveah said.

All four of the Year 8s are intending to come to Nayland next year and they say being involved in the musical is giving them an opportunity to start feeling at home here already.

“Because you’re one of the youngest ones, you feel really privileged because you’re with all of the big, scary college kids,” Aislinn said. 

The show will run from 1st to 4th of May at the Theatre Royal. 

Tickets are available from Theatre Royal or online at Ticket Direct.