Pupils from Beechen Cliff School and Hayesfield Girls’ School in Bath will be taking to the stage for their second joint production, which this year will be one of Broadway’s greatest musicals, West Side Story at the Roper Theatre, Bath, from the 25-28th March.
West Side Story was first performed in 1957 and was made into the iconic film in 1961 starring Chita Rivera, before a Stephen Spielberg remake in 2021. Beechen Cliff and Hayesfield have invited Bath Theatre School to produce the production with over 60 of their students. Previously the partnership productions have earned multiple award nominations with an award for their inaugural musical Guys and Dolls.
Following four successful years, they are now collaborating with Hayesfield School, which will see the production staged at the Hayesfield Roper theatre. This will continue to build upon the performing opportunities on offer, with professional lighting, scenery and costumes. In addition, the Beechen Cliff and Hayesfield student technical team, teaching staff and parent volunteers will be providing the off-stage support to deliver the large-scale musical production.
This collaboration is one of many between Beechen Cliff and Hayesfield as part of their affiliation within the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership and the Bath Hub. The schools have their own unique characteristics and vision but also a joint ambition, along with St Mark’s School, to enable all students across the city of Bath to achieve their aspirations and personal growth through a high-quality curriculum offer and a wide range of exciting and engaging opportunities and experiences.
For both schools the opportunity to perform brings with it a wealth of creative opportunities for students on and off the stage, whilst supporting a wide variety of key life skills.
Former Beechen Cliff pupils and Bath Theatre School’s Principal, Tom Bright, said, “We are thrilled to be working with Beechen Cliff School for a seventh year and to be joined by Hayesfield Girls’ School for a second year, to share our expertise to bring musical theatre and the opportunity to perform into school life.
“The scale of the productions is unlike anything available at any other school in the area and we commend both schools for pursuing these ambitious projects. The students have loved recreating such an iconic musical”.
Tickets to see West Side Story can be purchased for £15/£13 (U18s) from www.baththeatreschool.com/tickets or by calling 01225 640046. The show runs Monday 25th March until 28 March with performances starting at 7pm at The Roper Theatre, Bath.