Goodbye Joseph!

Well it has been a very busy week at the end of a very busy 5 months. Since October, we have gone from auditions, to weekly Tuesday rehearsals plus additional lunchtime and after schools to pull together singing and dancing ready to take the stage! In the last week alone, we have had band call, dress run, 2 matinee performances to local primary schools and 2 performances to large audiences on Friday and Saturday. We want to say a huge thank you to all who have supported with the show in any capacity. To our cast, my goodness it has been a journey! We know we have been tough on you at times to push you to your potential. You have all worked your socks off and have made yourselves, your families and us very very proud! For those who helped with lighting and sound, sorting costumes, set and props, clearing the great hall, providing refreshments, tickets, and programs, playing in the band….the list is endless, and the production society are truly grateful for everyone’s willingness to support. It takes a village to put on a production, and Hatch End has a great one- you might say, we’re ‘a remarkable family in anyone’s book!’ ‘The bright colours were shining wonderful and new’ and though we might ‘feel life is unfair’, it’s time to ‘close every door’ on the show for this year. But ‘feel no sorrow, do not grieve, we would not want you to.’ Because we will return next year, ‘letting out a mighty roar’. what will we perform? We’re yet to decide, but ‘any dream will do.’

“The production was outstanding: great singing and dancing with excellent staging – a really high level in every way. The quality was extraordinary. I was also particularly struck by the sense of community and sheer joy of the occasion. Please do pass on congratulations to all involved, it was a life-affirming and joyous evening that I will remember for a very long time.”

“I think that the positive response, throughout, from the audience tells you everything. I am always amazed at the professionalism of the HEHS productions and the high numbers of children involved from HEHS and the feeder primaries. The acting, the singing, the dancing and the construction of the backdrop by the pupils, all contributed to a great show.”

“Many thanks for inviting Shaftesbury over today. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the show (as did the staff) and to quote one of our students as he was leaving school tonight ‘ that was the best show ever. I loved it. This email was also sent to me this evening by one of our teachers - I think the message is loud and clear.

Could I also pass on my sincere gratitude to all the staff and students who worked on the production. It really was excellent!!! As always, the standard of Hatch End musicals was extremely high...how the two main leads managed to sing so confidently and remember their lines was amazing! Our students especially enjoyed the sing along at the end and the regular narrations explaining what was happening in the show (really helpful!).”