“In Sunlit Uplands” – Prep 2 Production
A huge well done to our talented Prep 2 (Year 6) for their fantastic performances this week in their end of year play, “In Sunlit Uplands.” Every member of the year group was involved in the production, which saw two casts performing on different nights to scaled back audiences. Even though the numbers watching were smaller this year, due to ongoing restrictions, the audiences’ appreciation of the young performers' hard work was no less vocal than usual.
I was nervous and quite shy to start with but as time went on, and we rehearsed more and more, I got so much more confident and really started to enjoy performing as someone else. It was also really fun singing all the songs and seeing the smiles on the faces of the audience. Having a live audience made it feel incredible.
Mya, 2AA
Particular thanks and congratulations must go to Prep 2 year group teacher Mr Paramour who wrote “In Sunlit Uplands” when in lockdown. Mr Paramour said, “I started having discussions with colleagues about what would be possible in terms of a Prep 2 production this year. Time was limited and we had no idea what the world was going to look like when the summer term came around. As a result, I decided to write a play myself that would support the Prep 2 curriculum in other areas, especially history and music, but also in English and art. This overcame the time constraints we faced and it also meant that the process of preparing the performance would have been a valuable one even if we’d never been able to perform it to a live audience. The obvious focus for the production was, therefore, the Second World War – Prep 2’s history topic this term. However, I also wanted the production to achieve some of the goals usually served by the Leavers’ Assembly – to mark the end of Prep 2’s journey through the Prep School and to look ahead with hope and optimism at the challenges ahead.”
The list of credits is exhaustive, but topping it must come Miss Adams, who directed the children – a double cast presents additional logistical problems – and to Mr Baum for his sterling work as Musical Director. Thanks too to Mr Pearson, Miss Ackroyd and Mr James afor all their hard work behind the scenes. A final thanks has to go to the 65 members of Prep 2 who gave us such an entertaining, educational and moving experience. We hope too that “In Sunlit Uplands” provided them with a great memory of their last days at the Prep School after their last two very disjointed school years.
I loved playing the part of Arthur Greenwood, especially wearing my costume and acting under the bright lights. The atmosphere on the evening we performed was amazing!’
Yousaf, 2AA
