Kilgraston Senior School 2023 Show – Fame!
Kilgraston Senior School 2023 Show was a legwarmer and leotard spectacle as pupils backflipped across the stage for top musical Fame!
It came fresh from the amazing performances by Junior Show pupils in ‘Annie’ and pulled together in little under a week, the show was testament to the incredible drive and focus of Kilgraston staff and pupils.
Pupils were unrecognisable in the outstanding costume and makeup and the Kilgraston Theatre transformed with the handiwork of the scenery team led by Mr Lapeyre.
Audiences were wowed by the talents of our pupils and in particular the crowd-pleaser and title track of ‘Fame!’. Well done to everyone for the colossal efforts and thank you to everyone who bought tickets to support this.
‘til next year…all together now…Fame!
Junior School show 2022 review - Matilda
The Junior School show 2022 is ‘Matilda: The Musical’. After last year, when the Junior musical was recorded, it is great to be back performing live in front of an audience, and everyone has certainly taken it in their stride. You wouldn’t be able to tell that we had all been online for the last two years! The energy and enthusiasm of the young actors and actresses can’t help but make you smile.
Matilda is a fantastic choice of script; it has everything you could wish for from a musical – comedy, suspense, and of course, catchy musical numbers. The set, which was designed and created by our own stage crew was indistinguishable from a professionally made set, and really speaks to the talent and vision of our National 5 drama students. The number of people involved in pulling this off speaks to the inclusion and spirit of community within our school, with children aged five performing in the musical, to the exam years helping during the performances and coming in during study leave to assist teachers.
It is evident how much time and effort our head of Drama Mrs Murphy, and Director of Music Mr Morley, dedicated to the musical, as the acting, choreography, and singing came together at the final performance to encapsulate the work of several months of hard work. Mr Murch and Mr Stewart provided the top-notch instrumentals to accompany the scenes. The sound and lighting was carried out by Mr Pryke and a team of talented sound technicians in the making, Emma and Kaitlin, and gave a polished and professional feel to our musical.
I think we definitely have some future stars in our midst - Caitlin played the lead role of Matilda, and made us all fall for this intelligent, quirky character with her heartfelt and genuine performance. Ms. Honey, Ms. Trunchbull and the school children also gave delightful performances, showcasing vocals and acting that rivals a West End production. The entire cast was enthusiastic and shared their feeling of fun with the audience.
This was a superb production and is testament to the dedication and perseverance of our outstanding performing arts teachers, as well as the students! I feel privileged to be a part of this wonderful school community.
Isabel, Upper Sixth, Music Prefect
Kilgraston Junior School show - The Little Mermaid
Under the sea…in the marquee…
Disney’s classic musical, The Little Mermaid, splashed onto our screens for the Junior Years’ end of term production, ensuring everyone had an opportunity to shine on the sea bed.
Government rules don’t allow singing, a fact not deterring Music Director, Jason McAuley, sound-effects supremo, Jamie Pryke, or Drama Director, Carly Smith: “We had to think outside the box,” said McAuley, “In fact, we had to think outside altogether, recording the sound separately in a windy marquee on the school’s front lawns!”
Subsequent sound and visual synching took over 20 hours of editing, the end result a slick, half-hour ‘film’ worthy of Walt himself: “We’re pretty pleased with the results,” said Mr Pryke, “the children were amazing, so patient and enthusiastic. We asked a lot of them and they just gave and gave.”
The story swirls around troubled-teen mermaid Ariel, blessed with a beautiful voice (although, obviously, not utilised indoors!) harbouring a fascination for life on the land. Falling in love with Prince Eric, she’s prepared to sacrifice her impressive vocal-chords for a chance above the surface.
Tense moments ensue as Evil Ursula and her adoring acolytes have their doom-laden personas cleverly enhanced with lightening effects and seasick-inducing visuals: “Ill, insane or water on the brain?” words, sounds and lighting melding together.
But (spoiler alert) all’s well that ends well; a beaming Ariel, reunited with both voice and love-interest, bobs along on calm waters, while less tasteful sea creatures slither under their rocks.
A joyous, fun-filled production, packed with impressive performances, inspiring voices and extraordinary special effects.
The last year may well have blown us all a little off course, but everyone involved with The Little Mermaid certainly found their compass, a safe-passage found right to the very end of term.
Mairi Fraser
Nb. because of licencing restrictions, the production was only available to parents and guardians via a direct link. Apologies if you didn’t have the opportunity to view it.