It’s show time! The Downs School & Sixth Form puts on three-night performance of ‘Bugsy Malone’
A Compton school was transformed last week into a scene from 1920s gangland New York for its latest theatre production.
Dandy Dan’s hoodlums terrorise the district. He and his rival, ‘Fat Sam’, who runs the Grand Slam speakeasy bar, both vie for the top job.
Enter Bugsy Malone, a smooth city slicker, who arrives to help Fat Sam. But then he meets Blousey Brown.
For three nights – and three nights only – pupils across all year groups at The Downs School & Sixth Form put on the show, which was watched by Hermitage Primary School and Compton Primary School.
“We were delighted to see such confident students on stage, it was an inspiration for our pupils to see,” said director of primaries for The Download Federation, Melissa Cliffe.
“We have wonderfully talented performers and musicians in this production, which we are very proud of.
“Our students range from Year 7 to Year 12, with excellent support from our student crew backstage and alumni.”
“We present a rip-roaring and raucous 1920s musical which every family can enjoy,” commented Mrs Bailey, director and head of performance arts.
Musical director, Sinead Blake, added: “We are so proud of our talented musicians who play live throughout the show; it is a testimony to their hard work and dedication to their craft.”
The show ran from Wednesday, July 3, until Friday, July 5, at The Downs.
In similar news, over the past year, different groups of Sixth Form students at The Downs have been trained to lead drama workshops and work with primary aged children.
The theme of the workshops was the West-End musical, Matilda.
Sixth Formers worked with Years 3, 4 and 5 to act out scenes and deliver them to the whole year.
Both sets of pupils learnt valuable lessons in leadership and teaching, as well as working as a team, working to a timescale and delivering a polished result.
“We sincerely thank Compton School for allowing us through the doors, and hope to see them again next year,” said assistant headteacher at The Downs, Jodie Duthie.