message board page 4
Message 21 (April 2010)
Pictures taken from St Martin’s School, Northwood production.
Message 4 (Jan 2010)
"I have produced 'Smike' four times. In my opinion it is simply the best school musical ever written, with a strong story line based on the original book of 'Nicholas Nickleby' by Charles Dickens and brilliant songs by Simon May and Roger Holman.”
David Knight, Headteacher, Tatworth Primary School, Somerset
Message 3 (Jan 2010)
" I really enjoyed the show. It was lots of hard work, but the songs I sang were great. I loved singing 'Don't Let Life Get You Down', 'Here I Am' and 'Believe'.”
Anna who played the part of Nicholas Nickleby at Tatworth Primary School.
Message 2 (Jan 2010)
" 'Smike' is really outstanding among similar things for young people. All of our pupils loved both script and music instantly."
John Wright, Director of Music, Ripon Cathedral Choir School (performing 'Smike' in 2010).
Message 1 (Jan 2010)
" it was a long time ago when i found myself at Dotheboys Hall jiving around on stage with my school friends but in many ways it seems like yesterday. I still remember what fun it all was, and what a wonderful change from the way music was taught at KGS ( and most other schools around the country at the time I guess) which can only be described as dreary and uninspiring. it seemed so incredible that Simon May, my french teacher had written a pop musical and the school were going to let us put it on. To be honest it was my first real introduction to live music and live performance and I loved every minute of it ....who knows it may have been the first seed sown that inspired me to go into broadcasting and the entertainment business.......and when we got to go and do it for the BBC it was the icing on the cake! I'm sure over the following decades tens of thousands of kids have, like me, had their first real taste of live performance through SMIKE and whether they have carried on performing or not, I know they will have loved the experience too. Clearly Charles dickens wrote a great story, but the music and songs Simon wrote are timeless and sound as good today as ever. Dotheboys Rock? YEAH! YEAH!"
Neil "Doctor" Fox. January 2010
Message 10 (March 2010)
Pictures taken from Act 3 - Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre production.
Message 9 (March 2010)
"Being in Smike was amazing, all the songs will probably be in my head for the rest of my life. I enjoyed performing Smike LOADS!"
Aoife, aged 8, Act 3 - Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre.
Message 8 (March 2010)
“I loved Smike and I never wanted it to end. I couldn’t choose a fav bit because I liked it so much. I loved it so much it felt like I really was one of the children at Dotheboys! And it was amazing!”
Catriona, Act 3 - Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre.
Message 7 (March 2010)
“The Yvonne Arnaud Production group was a fantastic first experience for me. I really loved the music from Smike, my entire family are still singing the songs around the house. The actors were very good at keeping themselves in character, and most of all the thing that made it so good were the teachers, very encouraging and kept pushing us through the play. When it came to the end I think everyone felt sad.”
Nick Croucher, age 10, Act 3 - Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre.
Message 6 (March 2010)
“We loved the play - some of us were lucky enough to see it twice. Winning combination of really memorable songs and music, strong, believable characters and atmosphere was well captured. Excellent! Looking forward to seeing it all again on DVD. Been a fabulous experience for Nick.”
Jasmine and Simon Croucher, Parents of Nick Croucher, Act 3 - Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre.
Message 5 (March 2010)
“I really enjoyed performing in Smike. It was amazing - we had so much fun, and I will never forget it!!
James Fairley (Bolder), Act 3 - Yvonne Arnaud Youth Theatre.
Message 11 (April 2010)
'”The best thing I have ever done at this school.”
James, Age 10 (Smike), Ripon Cathedral Choir School
Message 12 (April 2010)
“All the hard work was worth it, I loved it. The music is brilliant.”
Adam, Age 10 (Wackford), Ripon Cathedral Choir School
Message 15 (April 2010)
"A stunning musical, worthy of the new hall."
Prahalad Prasad (Nicholas Nickelby), St Martins School, Northwood.
Message 16 (April 2010)
“Brilliant, but I don’t want to be a woman again!”
Jonah Surkes (Mrs Squeers), St Martins School, Northwood.
Message 17 (April 2010)
“We were pleased to perform “Smike” as the first production in our new Performing Arts Centre, and particularly delighted that Simon May was able to come to the final performance. The boys clearly enjoyed taking part in this exciting and entertaining production and gained enormously from the experience.”
David Tidmarsh, Headmaster, St Martin’s School, Northwood.
Message 18 (April 2010)
“Outstanding, worth all the hard work.”
Toby Cohen (Mr Squeers), St Martin’s School, Northwood.
Message 19 (April 2010)
“Looked absolutely fantastic from the top where I was shining the follow spot !”
Dillon Nathwani (backstage), St Martin’s School, Northwood.
Message 20 (April 2010)
“The most fun I have ever had !”
Apurva Shah (Miss Grant), St Martin’s School, Northwood.
Message 13 (April 2010)
“Well worth all the effort.”
Alex, Age 10 (chorus member), Ripon Cathedral Choir School
Message 14 (April 2010)
“A lot better than lessons!”
Katie age 10 (chorus member:), Ripon Cathedral Choir School
Message 23 (June 2010)
“You've no doubt had it said a thousand times to you, but I think your musical Smike is massively underated in the professional circuit. Understandably very popular with schools and am dram. Rarely do you get a children focussed piece of theatre where the score and libretto are so good and suitably flexible for all kinds of occasions.
I've thoroughly enjoyed directing and MD ing the piece a few times over the years and you never get bored of it.
Thank you for having been so wonderfully inspired.”
Guy Marsh, Producer of 'Smike' when at Northampton School For Boys
Message 22 (June 2010)
“I am writing to say thank you for the CD that was sent to us to aid us with our production. We are producing 'Smike' on 3rd and 4th July 2010 at Windsor Road Theatre, Barry. Our company is Superstars in the Making.”
Christian Bullen, Director, Superstars in the Making
Message 26 (July 2010)
“Backing tracks are brilliant and indeed backed up!“
Asta Hodgson, Producer of Smike at Losely Fields Primary
Message 25 July 2010)
“Just to let you know that Ludgrove Preparatory School will be performing Smike on 4-5 December 2010. Very excited indeed. Last time I did it in a school in South Africa in 2003 - cannot wait, love the score and script!”
William Goldsmith, Producer of Smike at Ludgrove Preparatory School
Message 24 (July 2010)
Pictures from City Of London Freemen’s School, Ashtead.
