Saturday, 13 February 2016 17:50

QE Girls “alive with the sound of music!”

Written by
Jennifer Ford, head of drama at Queen Elizabeth’s Girl School, with Frankie Stanley (centre) who took lead role as Maria, and Melissa Dieter as Captain Von Trapp Jennifer Ford, head of drama at Queen Elizabeth’s Girl School, with Frankie Stanley (centre) who took lead role as Maria, and Melissa Dieter as Captain Von Trapp
Seventy pupils spent six months preparing and rehearsing for a spectacular production of The Sound of Music at Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School, Barnet.

“It’s a fabulous musical for a girls’ school to present,” said the director Jennifer Ford, head of drama and performing arts.

“What makes The Sound of Music so special is that with the extra dance routines that accompany all the familiar songs, we can put on a production that has parts for the entire age range, from 11 to 18.”

The musical ran for three nights (February 10-12), and for the first time the school hired tiered seating for the hall, and also constructed a pit for the school orchestra to create the atmosphere of a theatre.

Ms Ford said auditions began in September and pupils came forward from across the school, from year 7 through to 13.

“The story of the Von Trapp family makes for a marvellous school production. So many of the pupils can get involved with the acting, singing and dancing.

“The pupils also looked after all the technical side, the stage management, and costumes, and even took all the photographs for the programme.

“It’s been hard work for the pupils, with two weekends spent on technical rehearsals, and for the school the great joy of a musical is that we can collaborate with the music department,” said Ms Ford.

The Von Trapp family

5 comments

  • Comment Link Saturday, 13 February 2016 18:15 posted by Andrea Needham

    I was lucky enough to see every performance of this brilliant production! Maria and the Captain were exceptional, Maria's voice is just amazing and the Captain's facial expressions were truly brilliant! My daughter was lucky enough to be given the part of one of the nuns and her self confidence has soared and the focus she showed thought this was something we have never seen before! Thank you Mrs Ford and the rest of the production team and cast you are all truly wonderful.

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  • Comment Link Sunday, 14 February 2016 14:03 posted by Violet Walker

    Assured and engaging performances from our extremely talented students, guided by our dedicated and expert staff.

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  • Comment Link Sunday, 14 February 2016 20:27 posted by Isabel sabourin (Gretl

    I was in the play (I played Gretl) and I was so pleased and honoured to be part of the play! It was one of the best experiences I have EVER had and I will never forget this! Thank you to everyone in the play for all the hard work you did to make the play fantastic and thank you for helping me become even more obsessed with the sound of music

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  • Comment Link Sunday, 14 February 2016 21:03 posted by Kim Sabourin

    We were able to see the production on two of the three evenings and all the performances were flawless. The singing and acting were of a very high standard and, not once did I feel that the performers were unsure of themselves - a testament to great direction. My daughter played Gretl and, although familiar with the story, songs and movie, she is now absolutely obsessed with it! We've just returned from a weekend away and have done nothing but sing the songs - in the car and even down the street! Well done to all - Isabel cannot wait until next year's production!

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  • Comment Link Monday, 14 March 2016 04:57 posted by Drew Stuckel

    Dorothy’s last name was lifted from Kent Zbornak , who worked as the stage manager for the show for the entire run of the series. Susan Harris had worked with Kent on

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