A Great Night at the Theatre
Last week, students at The Winston Churchill School completed their run of 'Little Shop of Horrors' at the Rhoda McGaw theatre in Woking. This was a special occasion for this cast and crew, as it marked the first time Winston had returned to the theatre since 2019.
The musical revolves around a flower shop in a rundown neighbourhood in New York City, referred to as “Skid Row”. The clumsy flower shop assistant Seymour, who has fallen for his co-worker Audrey, discovers an unusual plant during a total eclipse. He names the plant Audrey II and soon realises that the plant only feeds on human flesh and blood. The growing plant attracts a great deal of business for the previously struggling shop. Seymour has taken on a task to feed this strange plant, but as the plant grows, he needs to find new ways to satisfy its immense appetite. But what lengths will he go to in order to keep the shop's success?
As staff, we were in awe of the student's dedication and passion throughout the week. The cast and crew worked hard to use the new space at the Rhoda professionally and politely while maintaining the high standards expected of those working at the theatre. The technical teams, under the new leadership of Mr. Major, quickly wrapped their heads around the industry grade equipment and software. Leading to a dazzling display of lights and sound that took fifteen hours to programme and perfect. A team of artists and set designers led by Ella (year 10) spent time transforming the theatre atrium into Mushnik's flower shop while Emma, Catrin and Lara (year 11) had two days to learn and block their way around 4 professional plant puppets, one of which resembled the size of a small car.
The cast themselves brought a special level of care and attention to each scene this year. Having worked for months on Liberato and Lyric, they took to the stage with a special energy that made each part of the play shine whenever a new character entered from the wings. The pit band, working with Mr. Drake, played flawlessly throughout the entire piece, bringing a much-deserved praise each evening.
Staff at the theatre commented on how impressed they were with the young performers and musicians, stating that they were stunned by the level of professionalism displayed by such a young cast. They showed this appreciation by offering some cast members a private tour of the New Victoria theatre next door, a behemoth of a space with over one thousand seats.
I have been left in awe this year of what our students have achieved in such a short space of time and hope that the production will leave them with many fond memories for years to come.
Mr Harrington-Tucker
Subject Leader for Drama
