Musical Earnes Standing Ovation

A+ Education - Spring 2020 - Bulletin Board

A cast of 160 Dauntsey's pupils, supported by more than 30 technical crew and band members, delighted sell-out audiences with a challenging, energetic and exciting production of In the Heights.

From the writer of Hamilton and Disney's Moana, Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical tells the story of a vibrant community in New York's Washington Heights neighbourhood. The show received standing ovations from audiences totalling some 3,000 who watched performances over the five-night run.

The cast was made up of pupils from Years 7 to 13 and, for some, it was their stage debut.

The school's hi-tech sound and light system brought the musical to life in spectacular fashion, and the band performed the challenging score with great skill, energy and enthusiasm.

Chris Walker, director of drama, said: "Dauntsey's has raised the bar for what is possible for school productions. Taking on this hugely complex show was a mountain to climb and the young people and staff truly scaled the peak. Our show was as close as possible to the West End production."