Gainsborough Academy students shine in their first showcase event

Gainsborough Academy's performing arts team have held their first-ever Performing Arts Showcase.
Gainsborough Academy presented a performing arts showcaseGainsborough Academy presented a performing arts showcase
Gainsborough Academy presented a performing arts showcase

A packed audience of more than 120 people, including the new Mayor of Gainsborough, Coun Kenneth Woolley, were regaled with the finest performing talent the academy had to offer, combining singing,dancing and serious drama.

An academy spokesman said: “Everyone was able to create an enthralling evening of entertainment, but also celebrating the hard work and commitment which makes us justifiably proud of our students.”

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The evening began with the academy’s choir, singing Snow Patrol’s classic Chasing Cars.

Combining solo voices and ensemble singing, the song gave a powerful and moving start to the show, with complete focus from the massed singers.

This was followed by a group of A-grade students demonstrating their GCSE set study dance.

Sophisticated and well-choreographed, the dance also showed the students working together, supporting each other and developing their skills in depth.

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Chloe Coy then performed Adele’s classic Rolling in the Deep – and had the entire audience singing along.

And Rhianne Plumtree sang the Bette Midler classic The Rose, again leaving the audience impressed.

The musical portion of the show ended with Robbie Ecclestone and Chris Cook performing a Charleston, Star Wars Cantina style.

This left the audience with huge grins on their faces and real admiration for the rhythmic and lightning fast skills of both keyboard players.

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The mood changed completely for the second part of the evening when more than 40 students delivered a powerful and harrowing dance-drama piece based on the current refugee crisis.

A series of images took place, with hands reaching despairingly to the audience, intending to evoke the misery and despair of the victims of persecution.

The piece portrayed the media response, the responses of the people who present the arguments against refugees, and most powerfully of all, the plight of the refugees themselves.

Delivered through music, movement, a variety of languages and acting styles, it was particularly interesting to see some of the students speaking their own languages on stage.

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And through their acting, everyone was able to clearly understand what was happening.

Every student in the ensemble added to the overall effect and it was hailed as a powerful and engaging piece of drama, and a worthy finale to the academy’s first ever showcase event.

Coun Woolley said afterwards: “I was delighted to attend and observe such high standards of musical talent and dance.

“The students gave an emotive performance with their own play on the plight of the refugees.

“I was very impressed.”

The evening ended with certificates for all participants, and thanks to all the performing arts team.