Grab your sparkly wig and break out your best kick ball change, because it’s time for House Performing Arts!
Last Thursday Berkhamsted Girls and Berkhamsted Boys enjoyed the annual and highly contested House Performing Arts competition, which sees each House perform a musical medley complete with costumes, dancing and acting. With every pupil expected to get involved and join in, this is an important bonding experience for each house and a chance for pupils to Be Adventurous and get on stage.
Boys were first to perform in the morning, and what a morning it was! Memorable moments include a spirited acting out of the Copacabana by Bartrum (complete with breaking chairs and merengue dancers), a pineapple-centric performance of Escape (The Pina Colada song) by Fry’s and not one, but two boy-band redo’s of NSYNC and One Direction, by Cox’s and Adders respectively.
In the end, the trophy went to Bee’s for their enthusiastic performance of ‘There’s no place I’d rather Bee’ with Tilman and Bartrum receiving runners-up commendations.
Girls followed in the afternoon, and energy was high once again. These performances usually feature more theatricality, including a ‘teaser’ before the singing to reveal the medley songs in mini comedy sketches. This year, New Stede even emulated the famous Brooklyn 99 opening to announce their Backstreet Boys medley. Winners this year were Old Stede, for a thrilling Michael Jackson medley, while New Stede and Wolstenholme claimed second and third place.
Showcase performances gave our adjudicator a chance to deliberate. Well done to every pupil who got up on stage to perform, with showcases ranging from interpretive dance to solos and duets.
This year, our judge was actor Milo Clarke, best known for his portrayal of Teddy on drama television show, Casualty. Focusing on technical ability, showmanship and musicality, Milo had the tough task of deciding our winners. He congratulated every pupil for getting involved, showing teamwork and support for each other.
This event is not only a joyful and vibrant affair, but also an opportunity for every pupil to develop their confidence on stage and strengthen their teamwork skills. For House captains and prefects, it is a chance to demonstrate leadership, encouraging and supporting less confident members of their House throughout the rehearsal process. By the end of the event, we hope every House felt proud of what they had produced and, above all, the hard work, creativity and collaboration that made it possible.
Bravo!
