“The Sun’ll Come Out”: Students at Hewett Academy, Jane Austen College and Sir Isaac Newton Present Outstanding Performance of Annie The Musical

On the evenings of Thursday 9th, Friday 10th and Saturday 11th February, students from all year groups at three Inspiration Trust schools - Hewett Academy, Jane Austen College and Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form performed an exceptional showing of Annie The Musical at the Walter Roy Theatre, situated at Hewett Academy.

Following the success of Grease in 2022, the three schools collaborated once again to wow audience members, with professional set, sound and lighting, and accompanied by a talented orchestra of both staff and students.

The students involved were given a taste of what it's like to perform in a professional production, covering an audition process right through to rehearsals and the final performance. Those that weren’t in the production cast were able to be involved in all exemplary aspects that take place behind the scenes which included building the sets and scenery, managing the stage, as well as assisting with costumes and hair and make-up. The production has been an outstanding group effort. 

The musical has been a family-favourite performance on Broadway for many years, and is based on the cartoon strip ‘Little Orphan Annie’, a Depression-era rags-to-riches story of an orphan who yearns to escape from the horrible orphanage that she resides in. 

Principal of Hewett Academy, Antony Little said:

"Annie has been an incredible production and the actors, musicians and back stage crew deserve all the plaudits. Three schools coming together and putting on such a show is logistically difficult but what a production they put on! The students at Hewett Academy, Sir Isaac Newton and Jane Austen have brought some star dust to Norwich! The students involved have done themselves and their schools really proud. We can't wait to see what they achieve next year as it gets bigger and better each time!"

Miss Hannant, Performing Arts Curriculum Lead at Inspiration Trust said: 

“The school show is a wonderful opportunity for students to experience what it is like to perform in a fantastic theatre with professional sound and lighting and a live orchestra, and I am so grateful that we have been able to give our students this experience again this year. I hope it is an experience that they remember for years to come. We are so lucky to have a space like the Walter Roy Theatre to perform in!

 

Putting together a school show of this size and across three schools is no easy feat - and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of my amazing colleagues and friends, and I would like to thank you all for your contribution to the production - without you, our students would not have been able to have this unforgettable experience.

 

Our students at Jane Austen College, Hewett Academy, and Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form have been working super hard over the past few months, and I am so proud of every single one of them.”

Inspiration Trust understands the value of the arts, and every student across all its schools has the opportunity to take part in a variety of performances, including theatre productions, musical performances and concerts. Recent productions include ‘We Will Rock You’ by Great Yarmouth Charter, and upcoming performances of ‘Back to the 80’s’ by Cromer Academy, ‘The Little Mermaid’ by Thetford Academy, ‘Sister Act The Musical’ by Hethersett Academy and ‘Matilda’ by King Edward VII Academy. To find out more and book tickets, visit the relevant school website.