Students gave up some of their Easter break to rehearse for Highfields’ upcoming musical production, Aladdin.
The school opened its doors to cast members last week to start work on the showcase with four days of Covid-compliant rehearsals.
Twenty-five students from Years 7-9 attended the rehearsals, which took place from Tuesday to Friday. Numbers were capped at 25 due to current restrictions.
They used the time to work on some of the show’s famous songs - which include Arabian Nights, Prince Ali, A Whole New World and One Jump Ahead - as well as getting to grips with dance numbers and dialogue.
The musical is set in the fictional Arabian city of Agrabah and tells the story of a poor young man who is granted three wishes by a genie in a lamp, which he uses to woo a princess and to thwart the sultan’s evil Grand Vizier.
Students wore masks for indoor singing sessions during last week’s rehearsals, but it is hoped the show will be staged in July in front of live audiences in the school’s Lyceum Theatre if Covid restrictions are lifted as planned.
It comes after the school’s latest production of Joseph & The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat had to be live-streamed from the Lyceum Theatre due to strict Covid-19 restrictions.
Ms S Bishop, Highfields’ Director of Performance, said the rehearsals had been a huge success.
She added: “We are really excited to be getting under way with our latest musical, Aladdin.
“It’s a great show, with brilliant songs and big dance numbers.
“We started rehearsals during the Easter break and had 25 enthusiastic cast members give up their holiday time to come along.
“They did an amazing job and worked incredibly hard.
“Our productions take an enormous amount of effort and commitment over many weeks, but we have a very talented young cast and know they are going to put on another wonderful show in the summer.
“It will be even more special if the students do get to perform in front of live audiences in the Lyceum.”
Principal roles have been double cast or triple cast to give as many students as possible the chance to shine on stage.
