School Productions

A darkly comic musical about love, family and acceptance.

The Communication and Performing Arts Team were thrilled to secure the rights for The Addams Family, the spectacular musical comedy from the writers of Jersey Boys. Based on the iconic characters created by Charles Addams, the story finds Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, all grown up and harbouring a shocking secret: she has fallen in love with a sweet young man from a respectable family!

The production was a huge success, defined by a massive ensemble cast. A highlight of the show was the "Ancestors"—a ghostly chorus of students who brought the stage to life (and death!) with incredible choreography. The comic timing from the core family members was superb, supported by a note-perfect orchestra. It was a top-rate performance that left audiences entertained and impressed by the sheer scale of participation.

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A joyous celebration of individuality and self-expression.

Kinky Boots is a story about the bonds that form when we stop judging each other and allow our shared humanity to bring us together. It is a celebration of individuality where the message "just be who you wanna be" is central. For our 2024 production, The Bulmershe School embraced this message wholeheartedly, delivering a show that many in our community have called our best ever.

Over three nights, students wowed audiences with performances that deservedly received standing ovations. The show was a significant challenge, not least for the cast members who had to master dancing in high heels! The lead performances from our Year 13 students were of a professional standard, delivering vocals and emotion that left the audience speechless. It was a powerful reminder of the importance of acceptance, self-expression and courage - values we are proud to celebrate at Bulmershe.

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The timeless classic that proved Bulmershe is a school of optimists.

For 2023, we decided to tackle a true giant of musical theatre: Annie. While some might view it as a vintage classic, the story of optimism in the face of adversity resonated deeply with our students. Set in the 1930s depression era, the show deals with political and social issues that mirror the austerity of the modern world. However, ultimately, this is a story about hope.

The production was a fun and energetic riot of colour. We were incredibly proud of our Year 7 student, Mae, who took on the title role of Annie in her very first term at Bulmershe. Delivering such a demanding role so soon after joining secondary school was a brave and brilliant achievement! She was supported by a commanding performance from Oliver as Daddy Warbucks and Angus as the conniving Rooster. Connie also gave a convincing and hilarious performance as the disillusioned Miss Hannigan.

Behind the scenes, the show was supported by our student-led Tech Club. Over 100 students were involved in creating and constructing aspects of the production, from props to sound engineering.

As the Director noted, "An education system in austerity is a challenge, but every year our shows remind me that Bulmershe is a school packed full of optimists!"

A bold, historical musical about the fight for equal pay.

Following the success of Matilda, the production team wanted a contrast, something that would challenge our older students and showcase a different style of performance. Made in Dagenham, based on the true events of the 1968 Ford sewing machinists strike, was the perfect bold choice.

We were keen to find a show that offered great opportunities for ensemble performers of all ages, and with 27 named roles, Made in Dagenham allowed us to cast a wide net of talent. The story focusses on Rita O’Grady and her battle for equal pay, a narrative of female empowerment and working-class solidarity that is still relevant today.

The chemistry between the leads was palpable. Angus showcased his versatility, switching from comedic roles in previous years to play a sweet and emotional Eddie O’Grady, while his duets with Sophie (playing Rita) were beautifully delivered. They made a lovely, believable couple that anchored the show’s emotional core.

The show was charming, the music was catchy and the result was a production that challenged the audience to think while they were being entertained. It was a wonderful way to round off the term and a testament to the students' ability to handle mature, complex themes.

Revolting children and a triumphant return to the stage.

Our 2021 production of Matilda was a milestone event for The Bulmershe School. After a difficult two years where the pandemic halted live performances, the return to the stage was an emotional and energetic triumph. We were delighted to secure one of the first amateur licences for the show in the UK, seizing the opportunity to bring live theatre back to our hall.

The vision for Matilda was massive, involving almost 100 students on stage and another 100 behind the scenes making sets and designing costumes. It was a true team effort that required staff and students to juggle significant demands to rehearse a show of this scale in a short time frame.

The casting showcased the depth of talent at Bulmershe. We had double-casting for the lead role, with Ruby and Aniya taking turns to play the sweet yet mischievous Matilda. Stanley and Oliver stole the show each night sharing the role of the formidable Miss Trunchbull, terrifying the audience with performances that were thankfully very different from our own Headteacher! It was a joy to see the "revolting children" finally get their revenge and to hear the sound of applause in our school once again.