Spectacularly Ending the Term With a Bang!
The Beacon was transported by Rebecca Livermore’s final Year 6 directing masterpiece with pure theatrical magic – what a way to end the Summer Term and her time as a Drama Teacher at The Beacon! Year 6 took to the stage with Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Jr, and it was nothing short of a triumphant success.
Back in January, our Performing Arts Team had their work cut out: two talented casts, nearly 70 boys in total, each determined to bring this beloved English classic to life. Progress was steady, at first, just one hour a week (plus after-school rehearsals). But it didn’t take long for the energy to shift. These Beacon boys weren’t just ready to work; they were ready to soar.
As quoted by Zenelle Oosthuizen, Head of Drama at The Beacon:
“The boys tackled the high-speed choreography of Me Ol’ Bamboo (yes -complete with sticks!) and dove into the vibrant rhythms of Year 6 parent, Rebecca Sachdev’s dazzling Bombie Samba. The Barons and Baronesses had us in stitches, bossing around the hapless spies and creating delightful chaos on stage. The Potts family took us on an unforgettable journey – one that made us laugh, tugged at our heartstrings, and left us all dreaming of a ride in that magical car. And who could forget the spine-tingling appearance of the Child Catcher – creeping across the stage with his giant sweety cart in tow? I think it’s safe to say we all breathed a collective sigh of relief (and maybe even cheered) when he was finally wheeled off… in a giant cake, no less! What began as a gentle warm-up quickly revved into a full-throttle sprint toward showtime.
As the rehearsal week kicked off, energy levels soared with the arrival of Chitty herself – the magical, magnificent car that stole the show. It soon became a whirlwind of activity: tech run-throughs, fine-tuning special effects, and making sure every set transition and spotlight was perfectly timed. The set transformed daily, buzzing with crew, costume fittings, and last-minute prop polishing. It was a logistical feat, but the atmosphere crackled with anticipation – and we will never forget the gasps of delight when Chitty first flew on the stage”.
A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who made this production possible. From the tireless staff working behind the scenes to the parents who supported every late rehearsal, costume hunt, and line run – our Performing Arts Team couldn’t have done it without you. And of course, to our brilliant Year 6 boys: your dedication, energy, and joy lit up the stage and reminded us all of the magic of theatre. You should be incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved.
A huge congratulations to our Performing Arts Team who worked around the clock – the result was truly spectacular!
