Standing ovations for King’s Ely Junior’s vibrant production of Fame the Musical

There were hoots of laughter and standing ovations when talented King’s Ely Junior thespians staged the toe-tapping musical Fame.

Pupils in Years 5 to 8 starred in the fast-paced show, which hundreds of families came together to enjoy in the school’s Hayward Theatre on March 8th and 9th. The sell-out production was directed by Laura Dixon, with musical direction by Neil Porter-Thaw and choreography by Natasha Hobbs.

Fame follows the highs and lows of the final class of New York City’s illustrious High School for the Performing Arts, from their first year in 1980 to their graduation in 1984. It tells the story of several of the students, depicting their struggles with ambition, fame, and self-confidence as the young performers explore the realities of striving for a career in show business.

Laura Dixon, who is Arts Award Coordinator and Teacher of Drama at King's Ely, is delighted with the show’s success. She said: ‘The cast of Fame are delighted with the success of their production. The hard work they put in to the gruelling six month rehearsal schedule really paid off, with standing ovations from the crowds. 36 students took part in the production and became a strong and supportive cast. All of the pupils were totally focused and committed to their roles, whether in the ensemble, dance troupe or a named character. The final performances were full of energy and vibrancy that really transported the audiences back to the ’80s. I’m so proud of everyone involved and am already looking forward to the next one!’

King’s Ely has an outstanding Drama and Theatre Department with a long history of being a valuable and distinguished part of school life. The department is buzzing every day, and in the evenings, with rehearsals, acting masterclasses run by professional practitioners, dance clubs, Arts Award drop-in sessions and technical theatre clubs.

We aim to stimulate and challenge the minds of all our students, whatever their ability, and inspire them to develop new skills in all aspects of performance and theatre work. Each year there are a breath-taking number of shows, including a musical theatre production, contemporary and classical studio pieces, academic showcases, open mic nights, Trinity Speech and Drama showcases and a House Drama Competition.

To discover more about opportunities at King’s Ely, please visit www.kingsely.org

Photos: Toby Roney