Wendies and Peters! – Sherborne Prep School
15 Feb 2023
Year 7 pupils at Sherborne Prep produced a magical performance of ‘Wendy and Peter Pan’.
Arriving at Greenfields, the Theatre of Sherborne International School on the morning of Monday 23rd of January a year group of excited children began their week-long rehearsal schedule.
Once the news of the play and casting had been decided, rehearsals were underway and ticket sales saw a sell-out in just two days!
With lines learned, stage fighting mastered, entrances and exits practised, the year 7s rose to the challenge in fantastic costumes and amusing props. The staff mucked in, in true Sherborne Prep style, with the final piece of staging completed in the nick of time. We even saw Head, Annie Gent and Deputy Head, Briony Harris help assemble some furniture including nursery beds which doubled as the Neverland backdrop and pirate ship!
The final technical rehearsal was punctuated with much excitement and shouts of ‘I can’t find my hook’, or ‘where is my costume, I’m sure I put it back on the wardrobe rail!’ in amongst the pupil-led sound and lighting team making their final tweaks. Producer of the show, our new Head of Drama Neil Johnson was on tenterhooks yet quietly confident!
The final show took place in front of parents and featured four Wendy’s, three Peter Pans, three Captain Hooks, two crocodiles and two Smees!
The rapturous applause from the audience said it all and Director Martin Stepney said, “Our Year 7 production of Wendy and Peter Pan was a swashbuckling ride of excitement, laughter, challenge and magic! The pupils thrived in an environment where they were challenged to put on a high-standard play, learn lines, navigate a stage and adapt to lighting, props and sound. Everyone achieved success and recognition because of their confidence and enjoyment of the play. Mr Johnson and I could not be prouder of their achievements. Drama at its best!”
To paraphrase one of Peter Pan’s famous lines – ‘to put on a show in a week is an awfully big adventure!’ so a huge well done is due to all the cast in this ensemble piece of storytelling for pulling it off.