This summer’s crop of Limelight school musicals produced outstanding productions by groups of all ages and abilities.
Stunning performances of Dazzle and Poptastic! were staged by schools and children’s theatre groups as far afield as Ayrshire in Scotland and Brighton on the South Coast of England.
“Dazzle is a superb show,” says Anne Marie McRoberts, acting Deputy Head of Anthony’s Primary School, Ayrshire. “Its catchy songs, wonderful characters and funny dialogue combine to produce a fantastic piece of entertainment. It was a joy to produce.”
“The songs and music in Dazzle are outstanding. The children absolutely loved the Ghost Train scene!”
She adds: “I particularly liked the practical direction notes in the script, which were very helpful. It is the first Limelight show we have performed. But on the strength of Dazzle, we will definitely be staging another Limelight show in future.”
Paul Withams, St Andrew School, Uxbridge, said: “Our production of Poptastic was fabulous and a huge success. It is a fantastic, memorable show.”
“We were able to get all 60 of our Year 6 and 5 children on the stage taking part. The children loved the songs, and the whole experience.”
“Due to the combination of the show and the children we were working with, this was the least stressful school production we have ever done!
“It was great to have the individual band parts to use, especially for me, the drum part.”
He added: “The parents loved the show. The unanimous view was -‘The best show we’ve ever done!’ The infant children were enraptured by the colour, spectacle and the music – I’ve never known the reception children to be so quiet and sit still for so long!”
Rachel Isle, Middleton Community Primary School, Derbyshire, said: “Dazzle is a special show, great fun and with wonderful songs. It’s a very funny script, with some great moments of humour.
“The highpoints from our production were the songs Freeze the air, the Fairground calls, and Keep us tonight!
“The audience loved the show. They particularly enjoyed Murgatroyd Megarich and Parker and Guillemot [Dazzle Bay’s two-headed, double-breasted, three-legged estate agents].
“With its wonderful characters and music, the show brought out some great performances. The children sang their hearts out.”
Becky Wilson, Wansdyke Community School, Wiltshire, said: “Poptastic is brilliant. The story, the songs and music, the characters - are fantastic.
“The show’s storyline, with Charlie as a wannabe pop star, was something the children could relate to. We had 143 children take part, aged from 7 to 11.
“It is an exciting, colourful, poptastic show! One of the parents made a juke box from an old wardrobe and we borrowed a smoke machine and disco ball for effect!
“The audience thought it was brilliant.”
To request a perusal copy of Dazzle or Poptastic, click here.