On Tuesday, 23 June, I was privileged to witness another groundbreaking performance from the pupils at Green Top School. Building on the success of last year’s Wizard of Oz, the production crew this year captivated the audience with a comical and imaginative merging of the classic story of Cinderella with the iconic world of Sherlock Holmes.
The production was a masterclass in inclusivity, featuring brilliant choreography and powerful, consistent singing that remained perfectly in tune and in time. The stage direction was beautifully executed, showcasing the confidence and humility of the thirty-plus strong cast.
There were many highlights to celebrate throughout the evening. The comedic chemistry between the bumbling police force and a perfectly pitched, aloof Sherlock Holmes was delightful, and Dr. Watson’s natural humour and timing were outstanding. I was particularly impressed by our Year 4 narrator, whose Fairy Godmother performance was strong, confident, and vocally exceptional. It was also a wonderful touch to connect the play to our community by incorporating local Thorne landmarks, such as ‘Finkel Street’ which really brought the performance closer to the audience.
The production was a masterclass in inclusivity, featuring brilliant choreography and powerful, consistent singing that remained perfectly in tune and in time. The stage direction was beautifully executed, showcasing the confidence and humility of the thirty-plus strong cast.
The “Tiller girls” brought 1930s glamour to the stage with real commitment, while the “Ugly Sisters” nearly stole the show with their fantastic singing, attitude, and banter. From the physical comedy of the dressmaker’s “dashing French turn” to the poignant emotional resonance of Cinderella’s solo, “Tears in Your Eyes” (which left very few dry eyes in the house, I must say!) every constituent part, from the Prince and the Wicked Stepmother to the forlorn pumpkin-less farmer, held the performance together beautifully.
We often share the quotation from Kurt Hahn: “There is more in us than we know. If we can be made to see it, perhaps for the rest of our lives we will be unwilling to settle for less.” and we were ‘made’ to see it through this performance at Green Top. It is worth reminding ourselves of the importance of performance to build confidence and allow students to express themselves. This is part of our designed intention to build character in our young people.
Getting children to perform creatively is vital because it actively builds core life skills like confidence, communication, and resilience. Stepping onto a stage teaches kids how to conquer nerves, work collaboratively with peers, and express themselves creatively. Regular creative performance empowers students to develop the courage to overcome challenges, the respect and compassion to collaborate with peers, the integrity to cultivate self-worth, and the craftsmanship and quality to communicate with clarity and purpose.
Staff and pupils deserve huge credit for putting together a performance of real note, quality, and worth. From the set design and stage directions to the music, dance, and acting, it was a real Crew effort that perfectly aligned with our culture at XP.
Staff and pupils deserve huge credit for putting together a performance of real note, quality, and worth. From the set design and stage directions to the music, dance, and acting, it was a real Crew effort that perfectly aligned with our culture at XP. The whole performance was rip-roaring fun and a pleasure to watch and enjoy. The finale was sung with gusto and verve.
As the children sang in a rousing and powerful fashion:
“Anybody, everybody – our community: everybody, anybody – live in unity.”
I think that says it all!
Andy Sprakes
