YOUNG performers are flying as high as a kite as final preparations get under way for their annual musical.
Students from Years 7-13 at The King’s Academy, Coulby Newham, are set to stage the popular P. L. Travers-Disney musical Mary Poppins.
The curtain will rise on the Sherman Brothers spectacular, adapted for stage by Cameron Mackintosh, for a three-night run starting on Wednesday 20 November. Tickets are available from the academy reception.
Auditions last term saw principal parts being secured by Rachel Geddes, 14, as Mary Poppins; Ryan Clark, 17, as Bert; Rhys Lewis, 17, as George Banks; Eloise Plantaz, 14, as Jane Banks; Olivia Clark, 12, as Michael Banks; Alicia Glasgow, 16, as Winifred Banks.
A cast of 35 is also being supported by students working backstage on the set, sound and lighting.
After spending the holidays learning their lines, rehearsals began in earnest in September with the production coming together under the guidance of director Mr Eddie Jones, choreographer Miss Vicky Coggon, musical director Mrs Kate Dickinson and costume producer Mrs Carey Brownless.
Head of Drama Mr Jones said: “The musical represents a change of pace for us with not only lines to learn but songs and choreography. The students have done a great job and we can’t wait for the curtain to go up.”
Ryan said: “It is a really big show and definitely the best I have ever been involved in. I’ve loved the rehearsals.”
Alicia, winner of the academy Drama Bowl at the annual prizegiving, said: “It has been such good fun rehearsing and we are all very excited about the show going on.”
Rhys Lewis added: “It has been really challenging, especially the dancing and perfecting the accents. But we have loved it.”