A Roaring Success!

Posted at 3:08 pm on 21st February, 2023

Wellacre Presents The Jungle Book

For the first time since 2019, Wellacre’s stage curtains opened for a theatrical production of ‘The Jungle Book.’    

Aspiring actors, singers and backstage technicians began preparations for the show in November for a run of shows for local primary children and the whole school community from Monday 6th to Wednesday 8th February. 

  

Mrs Tickle, Teacher of Performing Arts, Miss Quinn, Teacher of Music, and Mrs O’Neill, Assistant Principal, led the production from rehearsals right through to show week and invited students, staff and community members to show their support.    

The audience followed Mowgli, Kian (Yr 10) as he leaves his family of wolves because of fearsome tiger Shere Khan, Billy (Yr 9).  Guided by no-nonsense Bagheera, Jack (Yr 10), and a free-spirited Baloo, Luke (Yr 11), the young boy begins an epic adventure and meets an array of jungle animals along the way!

  

The Wellacre community heaped praise on the cast following the performances.  Primary schools Acre Hall, Flixton and St. Monica’s enjoyed the cast’s matinee show and Acre Hall commented

“Thank you Wellacre for inviting Y4 and Y5 to watch their production of ‘The Jungle Book’ this afternoon! It was outstanding! Well done. Good luck for the rest of your performances.”

Wellacre Governors were also delighted to watch the show. Community Governor, Tom Fredrickson said:

“We thoroughly enjoyed the performance.  It was clear to me that there had been a lot of work and commitment and the boys should be very proud of what they achieved.”

Fellow Community Governor, Sam Russell, added: 

“Thank you for the great evening.  Well done to Mrs Tickle and Team for the brilliant Jungle Book production.  Bill and Chill are the next comedy duo!”

Proud parents, carers, families, friends and staff all joined the audience and the positive feedback received was overwhelming.  A cast member’s parents wrote in to say:

“From the minute we arrived at school we were greeted by lovely friendly welcoming boys and staff and made to feel so welcome.  Our son has really loved being part of this production and we feel sure that we have a future comedian on our hands!  What a brilliant double act! We really enjoyed the show, and it was wonderful to see so much talent and confidence on the stage. Huge well done to the whole cast.”

Another Wellacre Parent commented on social media:

“WOW, what an amazing show it was. Everyone worked so hard.  Well done to all students involved and all staff, the atmosphere was fantastic. Looking forward to the next one!”

  

The Wellacre production was supported by the whole school and wider community.  We would like to extend our thanks to former student Oliver Williams who joined us from his Technical Theatre course at Pendleton College to build the capacity and skills of our budding sound and lighting technicians Jasper and Finley.

The Manchester Musical Youth Theatre Company also supported the production with the loan of sound and lighting equipment, and invaluable assistance.  Musicians from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) joined us to form an incredible showband!

Make-up artist Helen Bailey led Wellacre staff in creating showstopping jungle animal faces for the whole cast, and Mrs Ashburn, Teacher of Food, organised some amazing bakes and refreshments ably assisted by Year 8 and 10 students.

  

Finally thank you to everyone who supported the production raffle and stallholders The Cleaning Fairy and Linda’s Creative Crafts.  

  

Principal Mrs Sharrock, said:

“It was wonderful to see the whole Wellacre community working together to build such a fantastic air of anticipation for The Jungle Book!  The show gave the whole cast, choir, band and backstage crew a fantastic platform to shine and showcase the voices, talent and commitment of everyone involved. We have been inundated with positive feedback and we would like to thank the community for their overwhelming support.”

        

Well done to the whole cast and crew:

CAST Baloo - Luke S Mowgli - Kian H Bagheera - Jack H Shere Khan - Billy P Chil- Alfie P Bill- Noah G Kaa- Ameer A Tabaquai- Ewan M Raksha (Wolf)- Ryan J Akela (Wolf)- Roshan S Fleck (Wolf) – Isaac J Spritely (Wolf)- Shuja A Howler (Wolf)- Sonny C Patch (Wolf)- George H Black Stripe (Wolf)- Finnley W White Paw (Wolf)- Jacob H Monkey 1- Zack A Monkey 2- Theo S Monkey 3- Zaki H Monkey 4- Lewis C Monkey 5- Abhay K Ikki/ Monkey- Jacob S  CREATIVE TEAM Director: Mrs Tickle Musical Director: Miss Quinn Stage Manager: Mrs O’Neill

Yr 7 CHOIR Fareed A Hayder A Samuel B Mason C Mackenzie C Dylan D Harry D Carter E Corey H George H Abhay K Tyler K Ethan P Miles P Aaron Q Isaac S Finnley W Jude W Eric K With further accompaniment from Year 7 CREW Oliver W Finley W Jasper H