Theatre Severn Concert

After hours of choreography, weeks of practice and many sleepless nights, the big day had finally arrived. Over 300 Concord students descended on Theatre Severn just after midday, ready for the final dress rehearsal before the evening performance. With acts ranging from choirs to samba bands, Indonesian Saman dancing (above) to British swing, it really would be a spectacular evening!

The days leading up to the show were particularly busy for performers- not only due to the in-house performance on Thursday evening for students and staff, but because normal Concord life continued, full of exam practice, interview preparation and hard work. For many 6.2 students, the excitement of the week was hearing news of offers and interviews from universities; for others, an anxious wait! But everyone was united in the excitement towards Saturday’s big event, and the effort from everyone was noticed by all.

Arriving at 5pm in the theatre on Saturday, I was immediately rushed into the most important question of the evening- what would students get for dinner? Away from the amazing canteen at Concord, and each given £7 towards food, the student’s favourite was Domino’s pizza; and I think we frustrated Mr K with the sheer volume of pizza deliveries to the stage door!

Having completed the final run through, it was backstage for students, as the auditorium began to fill with parents, teachers, the general public- as well as members of the Women’s Institute and Rotary Club, who the evening was in support of. Rotary are running ‘Polio Plus’, aiming to eradicate polio through vaccinations, and much money was raised in support of this worthy cause.

The evening was hosted by our Head Boy and Head Girl, Tempy and Audrey, who guided us through the evening and the ‘Planet Earth III’ offered by the international theme of the concert- Tempy is a David Attenborough in the making! But the real stars of the evening were all the students who took part. Watching from the audience, I was amazing at the range of talent students offered- in particularly the international societies were an amazing show of unity between students.

A superbly enjoyable evening was had by all who attended, and the Deputy Mayor and leaders of Rotary and WI praised all the organization that had gone into the event- particular thanks to Mr Kokkinos, who worked so hard to put the event together. The Mayor’s Concert not only showcased the range of talent at Concord, but also the international unity and peace that is so present in life at Concord.

Lottie Cansdale, 6.2