AS we have come to expect of Wadham School, last week’s production of 'Our House' was a huge success. 

Such is the breadth of talent at the school that the show had three different casts, allowing Carrera Elson and Taya Bray (Wed) Carmel Green and Libby Rowe (Thursday and Saturday) and Katie Jeffery and Rosie Clarke in the schoolgirl rebel roles of Billy and Angie to showcase their  powerful voices, sharp delivery of dialogue and immaculate comic timing.

Their male counterparts, Emmo and Levis (not very bright but very funny), featured an emerging double act between Kit Barker and Sam Hoskyns that would give Ant and Dec a run for their money.

This year the choreography and dancing were a real highlight with Amy Gardiner, Lydia Gardiner Hattie Hoskyns and Issy Hoskyns leading the pack.

Will Doutch as Reecy, whose slicked back hair and lack leather coat, made him spivy and evil, led the real showstopper that was “Baggy Trousers” and Josh Barnes, the too-smooth villain, was both dark and funny.

Sonia Legg and George Marshall-James had a real challenge – as the adult figures in an essentially teenage show, they carried much of the plot line in their songs and dialogue.

Both carried this off with real professionalism, successfully creating between them the sadness that underlines the 'madness' of the story.

Centre stage for much of the time, George Horgan and Sammi Tyali were a perfect match.  Their love story was made believable by mature and convincing acting performances and made heart-rending by the beautiful voices of both. 

Their collective energy inspired a well drilled chorus who belted out the big tunes 'Our House' 'Just Another Day' and 'Wings of a Dove'.

The costumes, designed (or scrounged!) by Emma Charles and Lesley Giles helped by Deb Prigg added a 1980s panache that lifted the cast.

The band, mostly made up of students from the school provided a soundtrack that invigorated   every performer and much of the audience. Director Jo Pulford and Musical Director Kellie Simpson must be reeling!

'Our House' was built on little more than 9 weeks rehearsal, clever technical support from Joe Rockett and his team at Bright, the vitality of a hundred Wadham students and the drive of the Pulford/Simpson team that somehow managed to do this year after year.        

Chris Jackson (Deputy head)
Wadham School