That’s right! A slice of smoggy Victorian London landed at Co-op Academy North Manchester for three performances of Oliver JR! this February. The scene was set for a night of singing, dancing and “cockney knees-upping”  from our talented Performing Arts department.

The scene was completed with:

• A replica of London Bridge. Perfect for delivering heart-wrenching ballads like “Where Is Love.”
• A painstakingly rendered backdrop of Fleet Street, perfect for “Rum-Tum-Tumming” down to St. Paul’s Cathedral.
• Feeling “At Home” with a cobblestone floor to complete the Victorian London vibe.

The stage was set, costumes made and the actors cast for an historic three nights of Oliver! JR.

While the performance looked effortless, it was the result of 6 months of tireless planning, preparation, and rehearsal. Our cast and crew have dedicated countless hours after school, on Saturdays and during lunchtime, perfecting every note, line, and scene transition.

“It's been a joy to watch our pupils' confidence grow and their talents shine. They showed real commitment to making this project a reality. A huge thanks is owed to all staff and pupils involved, whose contributions, however big or small, showed how good we are at Succeeding together at Co-op academy North Manchester.” 

The production would not have been possible without the hard work of the wonderful cast, the dedicated backstage crew and the exceptionally committed staff who have supported our pupils every step of the way. It has been a huge team effort, and the standing ovation at the end of the night said it all. Thanks for singing along with us. A huge well done to everyone involved in making Oliver! Jr. a runaway success!

Until next year from the budding thespians in our Performing Arts department!