Pupils’ wizard performance
A PACKED audience of more than 500 friends and family were whisked away to the magical land of Oz as Coventry pupils delivered their debut stage production at a new state-of-the-art facility.
A group of 19 pupils at Cardinal Wiseman Catholic School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, received rave reviews from a combined audience of more than 500 for the school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.
The pupils, including five from year 11 providing sound and lighting support, were the first to make use of Cardinal Wiseman’s refurbished performing arts facility as part of a full school production of the classic tale, with cast and crew gathering twice a week for rehearsals following auditions last October.
The new theatre, unveiled in 2021 and named after Saint Charles Lwanga, saw the school hall transformed to include theatre-style automated seating, professional lighting and a hi-tech sound system.
Kirsti Greenway, Performing Arts teacher, said: “It’s been absolutely brilliant to have devised and delivered our first school production in this amazing facility, and to have had so much support from our Principal Matthew Everett and the wider academy to put as much as we can into this performance.
“The new theatre provides an amazing platform for our students to express their creative talents and gives them an early insight into how a theatre production works behind the scenes and the different roles and skills involved.
“I’d like to thank all staff and parents who have supported us along the way. We are extremely proud of what the pupils have achieved, and can’t wait to get started on our next production.”
Year 11 pupil Stephanie, who was one of two pupils sharing the lead role of Dorothy, said: “It’s been so much fun. It’s been a really exciting experience and I’ve made new friends along the way, and it’s been great to see so many people from across the school supporting us.”