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Bablake Has Never Had It So Good!

Music Charity


Enya Bowe's 'Back to the 50s' concert, arranged for her Gold Arts Award and enabling fundraising for Womankind, delighted a packed Bablake Theatre, which had been transformed into a 50s American diner for the night.

Assistant Head Mr Jim Burns, never one for hyperboles, adapting the words of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan in 1957, said: "Bablake has never had it so good." In those seven words, he offered a touching and perfect critique for last night's 'Back to the 50s' show, where the versatility of so many of our pupils - excellent in the classroom, in the community, on the sports field and on stage - was once again clearly visible!

When presenters for the night Charlie Bramwell and Georgia Kelsey introduced the show with a 50s History lesson - surely leaving Head of History Mrs Helen Skilton beaming with pride at their expert analysis - everyone present had a feeling the show was going to be very special. 

The signs were there to predict the overwhelming emotion felt by the audience and performers two hours later when Enya and her team took to the stage for the finale. Nowhere was there a dry eye; even our photographer for the night described how he had one eye streaming but somehow had kept the other fully operational to continue shooting! 

Such was the calibre of the dancers, singers (both groups and individuals), and musicians on show, it would be divisive to single out anyone for particular praise. Everyone present will certainly have left with what is known in the trade as an 'earworm' in their head, playing a favourite song from the show over and over again. 

The harmony between all the performers was very noticeable - in fact, everyone involved performed as both headline and support act! Roisin Bowe spoke of her immense pride in her younger sister, a feeling Headmaster Mr John Watson echoed in his praise of the evening.

Over the last few years, Bablake has enjoyed shows such as 'Love Africa Live' and 'A Night at the Oscars', occasions where not only have pupils of all ages had fun, worked together, entertained a packed theatre and filled their CVs with skills employers value so highly, but they have also raised thousands of pounds for local and national charities. Enya's 'Back to the 50s' show has most definitely been added to Bablake folklore and will be spoken of in the same manner as the charity shows before it!

4th year pupil Enya Bowe now has a super portfolio to support her quest to attain the Arts Council's prestigious Gold Arts Award. Early indications are that she has raised over £1k for deserving charity Womankind, as well as providing further publicity via social media reference.

So, does anyone want to try and improve upon this event next year?! 

Immense thanks of course go to the Music department and our Theatre/ Events Technician, Mr Malcolm Wyatt, as well as their support teams. 



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