The John Lyon School’s Easter production of 42nd Street is perhaps the most ambitious musical it has ever staged, with big dance numbers, rapid costume changes and complex lighting and scenery switches.

Wedding Planner Search Engine Optimisation Bar Paris

The reputation of drama at the independent boys’ school in Harrow has grown rapidly in recent years, with the spring production staged at Harrow School’s professionally equipped Ryan Theatre now firmly established as one of the annual highlights.

42nd Street tells the story of famed director Julian Marsh’s attempts to mount a stage production of a musical, Pretty Lady, at the height of the Great Depression – a show within a show.

Upper Sixth-Former Nasri El-Sayegh enjoyed his swansong as Julian Marsh, while Richard Symonds played Billy, the leading man within Pretty Lady.

Miss Gibbs paid tribute to them and their fellow Upper Sixth actors who have been involved in every production since she arrived at the School four years ago. “This group have always just gone for it and have been central to the development of drama at the School.”

She also praised the crew for coping well with a demanding production, pointing out that four boy were required to ‘fly in’ each backcloth.

The female actors came from a number of schools including the JLS partner school, Northwood College.

Miss Gibbs singled out three for special plaudits: Elise Allanson (Royal Masonic School for Girls) who was appearing in her third JLS show, Mia Hatfield (also RMS) who performed well as a vocalist, and Izzy Tranter (Heathfield School), who is not only a “fantastic dancer” but also helped with the show’s choreography.

ENDS

Issued on behalf of The John Lyon School

MEDIA CONTACTS: Mr Kevin Riley at The John Lyon School on 020 8872 8434 or Paul Herbert at Edge Media on 01453 842020