Old Berkhamstedian inspires young actors

Year 9 pupils from Berkhamsted Boys and Berkhamsted Girls had the opportunity to watch ‘Ballet Shoes’ at the National Theatre, followed by a Q&A with Sid Sagar, an Old Berkhamstedian who starred in the production.

An adaptation of Noel Streatfeild’s 1936 novel of the same name, ‘Ballet Shoes’ tells the story of three adopted sisters learning who they are and what they want to be. Pupils were amazed by the set design, which featured dinosaur bones, and the audience interaction (some pupils were even asked to try some ballet exercises). “When the production started it really sucked me into the storyline of the ‘Fossil sisters’ and their journeys through childhood,” one pupil said. “The set, and the way it moved and operated, was incredible and the colour of the costumes and lighting really brought it to life!”After the performance, pupils were treated to a Q&A with one of the actors. Sid Sagar, who played Jai Saran in the production, left Berkhamsted in 2011 and is now an award-winning actor, playwright and screenwriter. “It was lovely to see the pupils being so stimulated and engaged by what they saw on stage,” says Sid. “They were brave to ask me questions not only about ‘Ballet Shoes’ but about my professional career and the routes I’ve taken to get there. It was a very inspiring thing for me to come full circle – those pupils have very exciting futures ahead of them.”

“This was an amazing experience and an inspiration to all of the aspiring actors in this year,” one pupil said. Another described meeting Sid as “a massive opportunity to get to know what the subject is like outside of school.”

Sid has maintained a strong relationship with the Berkhamsted community since his time at the School. As well as meeting pupils on theatre trips, he has also presented prizes at House Performing Arts and Music. “It’s a real honour,” he says. “I remember being in those positions when I was at school and it was always inspiring to meet someone who is doing something that you think you could do. It always helps to meet someone who has trod the path you hope to go down one day.”

Sid is delighted to see Berkhamsted continuing to “fly the flag” for Drama, communication and creativity, as these skills are vital for all sorts of careers and interests. During his time at our School, Sid participated in a range of performing arts opportunities. “Berkhamsted was definitely the place where I first began to realise that I was interested in expressing a part of myself that perhaps you can’t in an ordinary classroom,” he says. “It set me up to understand that my voice was worth something.”