A SPOONFUL of rigour is helping students at a Rugby secondary school prepare to raise the curtain on their upcoming stage show.
Talented actors, singers, and dancers from The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College have been hard at work in rehearsals as they gear up to stage a production of Mary Poppins Jr.
The cast, which features almost 100 students from Year 7 to Year 10, has been rehearsing several times a week after school and throughout the half-term break to ensure the show is a success when it hits the school’s stage later this month.
The ambitious production features a revolving stage and a flying system which will allow the title character to take to the skies.
Cameron Mackintosh and Disney’s Mary Poppins Jr. is described as a mixture of irresistible story, unforgettable songs and breathtaking dance numbers, based on one of the most popular Disney movies of all time and the Broadway musical that played for over 2,500 performances.
Four talented students will each take a turn performing in the show’s principle role, Mary Poppins.
The students selected for the lead role are Year 10 students Freya Lee, Daisy Adamson and Kacie Monaher, and Year 9 student Amelia Taylor.
The role of Bert, a jack-of-all-trades, will be played by Joel Tytler, a Year 10 student.
They will be joined on stage by the rest of the cast, the ensemble, and dancers who come from all year groups.
Performing arts faculty leader Elisa Wheatley said: “As always, we are incredibly lucky to have so many talented and committed students who want to be a part of our productions.
“Mary Poppins Jr. is one of the most ambitious performances and features an impressive set complete with a revolving stage and flying system that will allow Mary Poppins to fly over the London rooftops.”
Headteacher Blake Francis added: “The performing arts have been central to The Avon Valley School’s values for a long time, and we are extremely proud of the opportunities that we are able to provide our students.
“Mary Poppins Jr. is set to be an incredible production that our students, staff, parents, and indeed the whole community will be proud of.”
The show runs from Monday June 17 to Saturday June 22. Visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/theavonvalleyschooltheatre for more information and to book tickets.
