The best way to experience what life is like at Brighton College is to join us at an Open Morning, where you will have the chance to talk to pupils and teachers about what makes our school such a special place.
This year’s senior musical production was Into the Woods, performed by a spectacular cast and incredible all-pupil orchestra – no mean feat.
Composed by Stephen Sondheim and written by James Lapine, the musical transported the audience to a magical world from the very first note, as the characters ventured Into the Woods in pursuit of their wishes. Despite the complexity of the plot, each singer-actor embraced their role with sincerity and the musical numbers showcased the incredible vocal and orchestral talent at the College, captivating the audience.
The prologue was a 15-minute rollercoaster, with every corner of the stage full of action, followed by the unsettling and very good rendition of Hello Little Girl, juxtaposed brilliantly by the angelic performance of Little Red Riding Hood in I Know Things Now.
We were then mesmerised by the nervous energy of Cinderella, singing of her concerns about marrying the Prince in her breathtaking solos, and by Jack’s experiences of encountering Giants in the Sky. The humorous and detailed performances of the Princes were certainly a highlight. During Agony they had the entire audience in fits of laughter.
Milky White, the cow, was impressively performed, as, despite having no lines, he broughtso much energy to the stage, solely through his powerful facial expressions – an outstanding feat of puppetry!
The very heartbeats of the play were the Baker and his wife on their quest for a child, and the Witch whocreated the perfect villain. You could not help but look forward to every time she appeared and caused further chaos for the characters.
Behind the scenes the production team did an incredible job with what was one of the most impressive sets we have seen at the College. The setting was magical, with vines and flowers that cloaked the entire stage, bringing the wood to life. The costumes were incredibly well thought out, from Rapunzel’s hair that snaked across the stage with the help of the ensemble to the gorgeous design of Cinderella’s stepsisters’outfits that added to their already enthralling portrayal.
The orchestra and cast were able to keep up their infectious energy and enthusiasm for an impressive two and half hours. Every moment of the performance was choreographed and demonstrated the dedication and guidance from the teachers involved.
The production was seamless and left the audience wanting to watch it again and again. It was certainly a highlight of the school year!
