Beyond The Lyrics

It was an absolute pleasure to be able to join The King’s Academy Youth Theatre for my 1st official visit and to watch this lovely and talented group of students perform their end of Term Showcase, Beyond The Lyrics.

Packed into their compact Drama Studio, this setting was a perfect backdrop for the production with the staging stripped back with blacked out curtains and a few moveable stage blocks creating a close and intimate setting allowing the focus to be purely on the performances.

This was a really clever concept from director Eddie Jones with 8 carefully selected pieces of Musical Theatre performed by the students and each one followed up with a piece of drama or dance devised by the students and based around their interpretation of the lyrics in the songs.

What struck me was not just the togetherness of all the students but the creativity and clever understanding of the stories and messages. From clever puppetry, great use of lighting and shadow screenwork to some very deep emotive messages. Every possible theme was explored and handled with great care by the students and there really were some great performances.

Every medium of performance was used in this short yet powerful showcase. Penny Atkinson and Beatrice Masinde really shone in their dance interpretation of He’s My Boy performed to Born This Way by Lady Gaga. The routine performed with lovely precision by the two girls. 

A number of students combined really effectively using Shadow Theatre to tell a story titled Watching Over You inspired by the lyrics from Part of That World and it was a lovely and clever performance. With powerful and heartfelt narration this technical piece of drama really showed the importance of movement and timing to deliver a powerful message.

The piece of drama that really stood out for me was Love You to the Moon and Back inspired by the MoTown hit My Girl. Being a fan of the classic story I was expecting a carbon copy but what we got was something much more edgy, powerful and gripping. Rhys Brear, Sophie Grylls, Ben Lunn and Alana Mackay all combined brilliantly in this story exploring relationships between a daughter and her parents. A very engaging and moving piece.

It wasn’t just the Dramatic sections that were impressive but collectively and individually the group shone in the musical numbers. From the upbeat opening of Listen right through to the Finale celebration of We’re All in This Together the energy and strength of vocals was lovely to witness.

A number of students really shone in their solo pieces. Gabriella Sanson, Sophie Robinson and Lily Cornwell showed off some great tone and control in I Know It’s Today really recognising the importance of story telling through song. Lily really shone with her vocals in this and a number of songs in the production.

Ryan Rodgers not only got soulful in his song but showed off some stylish moves in My Girl. Beatrice Masinde was incredibly impressive with her line delivery and control in a very tricky number, Satisfied from Hamilton. Amelia Gomez-Lee delivered a beautiful solo number really engaging with the audience.

Violet Renwick in her last show for the Academy before, thankfully, continuing her Dramatic studies elsewhere had one last chance to really shine. Her deliveries of two main numbers, Slipping Through My Fingers and He’s My boy really showcasing this fine vocalist and actress. There was great quality to her voice and real understanding of the numbers delivering passion and emotion to these songs designed for much older performers - incredibly impressive.

Whilst the individual numbers were excellent what struck me was how inclusive the whole show was. Everyone had an opportunity to develop different characters and different ideas around performance. It really was a great advert for the Youth Theatre side of the Academy and I know I speak for both Peter Oliver and myself in congratulating everyone involved. 

I can not wait to join you all in November for a finger clicking performance of The Addams Family.

 

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