Littlehampton Razzamataz stars shine in theatre spectacular

Jack Bowman, husband of the school’s principal, Jeanette Bowman, and a former window dresser, made the backdrop with a sun, real autumn leaves, snowflakes, glittered twigs and flowers, to set off the young students’ dazzling displays at The Littlehampton Academy.

Spring songs opened the show, together with drama from the juniors, based on the story of the Hungry Caterpillar, who turns into a butterfly.

Seniors performed Good Morning, a dance and Born This Way, a song by Lady Gaga, in her style and dress.

Children in the nine to 11 age group then gave their own takes on commercials for British Airways, Asda and Haribo.

Among them was Callum Leech, the school’s Student of the Year, an award he received during the show for his efforts throughout the year.

Summer Holiday, with the juniors, made everyone smile, before moving onto California Dreaming with the intermediates.

Two show dance numbers followed – Don’t Rain on my Parade, performed in top hats by the seniors, and the television Gene Kelly remix of Singing in the Rain, was danced with conviction by the juniors.

The seniors returned with drama from Nightmare Before Christmas, revealing a different side to the season. Among the well-executed performances by the juniors was Santa Baby, with red cloaks and muffs, elves and donkey costumes and some intriguing voices, as well as plenty of eagerness to make sure they were heard at the right microphone, amusing the audience.

The finale was from Grease 2, a song and dance number entitled A Girl for All Seasons, with costumes from a London production.

Continuing the family affair, Jeanette and Jack’s daughter Dawn-Evette chose most of the senior costumes and taught them singing.

“The Seniors performances were excellent,” said Jeanette.

“All the dance numbers choreographed by Kerry Smith were absolutely outstanding. Kerry gets better each year.”

Town mayor Alan Gammon, special guest at the show, said he had been impressed by the progress of several students he had also seen when he was last mayor, two years ago.

He presented a bouquet to Shelley Charman as the “most improved student” over that time, and said he had thoroughly enjoyed the performances.

Mr Gammon presented the following awards:- Student of the Year: Callum Leech. Best junior singer, Charlotte Beckham.

Best intermediate singer, Georgina Walker.

Best senior singer, Hannah Armstrong. Best junior dancer, Amelia Lazareski. Best intermediate dancer, Anna Mantle. Best senior dancer, Anna Parnell.

Best junior drama student, Thomas Hazzard.

Best intermediate drama student, Kayla Owden.

Best senior drama student, Danielle West.

Jeanette added: “I was very proud of the standard of this year’s show and the behaviour of the students.

“We will be adding another class as an “Introduction to juniors” for six to seven-year-olds next term because our juniors class is now full.

“There will also be several workshops next term, as it is our ‘Razz has Talent’ term and auditions will be taking place, which may be for our next students to perform at Her Majesty’s Theatre in the West End in November.”