Aspiring young performers from primary schools across Scarborough, along with our own Prep School students, were treated to a magical day of musical theatre as they immersed themselves in the world of Wicked. The day, hosted by our talented drama consultant Mr Alex Weatherhill, offered 30 enthusiastic children the chance to sing, dance, and act under the guidance of top-tier theatre professionals.
The day kicked off with warm-up games that had the children creating lively tableaus from musicals such as Matilda. With energy levels high, they moved on to learning the lyrics and melody of Wicked’s “What is this Feeling?”. Singing as a choir, the children confidently took on both Elphaba and Galinda’s parts, showing great teamwork and vocals. They also tackled the beautiful and emotional “For Good,” with many brave pupils stepping into the spotlight to sing solo lines – a fantastic confidence boost for all involved.
Splitting into smaller groups, the children delved into acting, rehearsing and staging specific scenes from Wicked. They staged the scenes themselves and received feedback from Mr. Weatherhill, whose experience performing on stage in the West End and around the world was invaluable.
The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the arrival of Lucyelle Cliffe, a seasoned West End performer who has appeared in Wicked. Lucyelle led a movement workshop that introduced the children to the original Wicked West End choreography for “One Short Day.” It was impressive to see how quickly the children picked up the routine, delivering it with real style and enthusiasm.
During a special Q&A session, Lucyelle answered thoughtful questions from the children, covering everything from her favourite character to play, how she prepares for shows, and even what songs she enjoys dancing to. A particularly inspiring moment was when the children learned that Lucyelle began her professional acting career at just four years old – proof that it’s never too early to dream big!
The day finished in a performance where the children showcased their hard work. They sang, danced, and acted in front of a proud audience of parents. The transformation from morning to afternoon was remarkable, with parents agreeing that the children’s accomplishments in just one day were brilliant.
A huge thank you goes to Mr Weatherhill and Mr Garfitt, our Director of Music, for organising such a special experience. And of course, a heartfelt thank you to Lucyelle Cliffe for delivering a workshop that will no doubt leave a lasting impression on all the young performers.
