'Chicago' 2023
“Murder, greed, corruption, violence, exploitation, adultery, and treachery.
Everything we hold dear, here at Afon Tâf!” These were the tongue-in-cheek opening lines of the 'Narrator', directed to packed audiences over three nights at the introduction of our musical extravaganza – CHICAGO!
Main lead protagonists, Roxie Hart, and Velma Kelly, desperately keen to court the newspaper Press of the day to keep in the public eye. Erin and Sioned filling both roles admirably, and ably supported by Erin’s brother, Jacob, as slick, confident, ‘showman’ attorney, Billy Flynn, Anais Price, as Cell Block Matron, Mama Morton and Ethan Setters in the role of Roxie’s sensitive, downtrodden husband, Amos Hart. Anais wowed the audience with her rendition of “When You’re Good To Mama.” I swear I felt the rafters of the school hall roof vibrate, whilst Ethan's emotional rendition of "Mr Cellophane" left the audience slightly melancholic. Acting and singing skills of the players seemingly way beyond their years.
A short, but effective ‘cameo’ role of Roxie’s estranged lover, Fred Casely, played by Dylan Tynan amused the crowd and stole the show. He certainly won’t be criticised for any lack of commitment to the role. In a similar fashion, the inebriated courthouse judge was played a little too well for my liking by Haydn Miller, who also had a similar effect on the audience.
A well-heeled supporting cast ranging from sinister 'Cell Block' inmates, 'flappers' and bootleggers saw our pupils perform shoulder-to-shoulder with talented hoofers from our local feeder Primary Schools.
Special thanks to Miss Abbie Jones making her directorial debut on the Afon Tâf stage. The first of many, we suspect. Thanks also, to Mr Alex Coombes, and his ‘Band’ for their mastery of all the catchy tunes, and for managing to play all the right notes in the right order. No mean achievement in the dark shadows of a dimly lit main hall.
Huge thanks to all our talented pupils and staff for making the week such a triumph. Your hard work has resulted in spectacular success. Thanks to those of you who continue to support our school in the way in which we’ve become accustomed.
Let’s all do it again soon!
[Photographs from performances will be available to purchase as 6" x 4" colour prints, each presented in slip-in mounts. Cost will be £5 each, or 3 for £12.
Please contact Mr Jenkins, Room F19 for more details].
Click here to see some photographs from the performance of:
Friday 7 July 2023
