Stars of the future

Students from the Pauline Quirke Academy Rugby wowed an audience of friends and family with their show, A Night at the Musicals, at Warwickshire College.

The performance followed mad scientists Thompson, Brown and Peters as they travelled through time taking the audience on a journey to experience some of the world’s best musicals. While the students performed extracts from Oliver, Annie, Chicago, Grease and Hairspray to Sweet Charity, Little Shop of Horrors and High School Musical, an examiner watched their every move.

More than 60 Pauline Quirke Academy Rugby students, aged from six to 18, entertained the audience with excellent vocals and polished dances throughout the 80-minute performance.

The performers, assessed by a Trinity examiner, were awarded with distinctions for their musical theatre production.

Pauline Quirke Academy Rugby, based at Harris C of E Academy, opened in October 2015. Students have been rehearsing for the show every Saturday morning.

The show finished off a busy and successful week as the arts academy also won Educator of the Year in the Pride of Rugby Awards.

Students are now preparing for their debut on the silver screen on Sunday, July 3, at Cineworld Rugby when they attend a red carpet event to watch themselves.

Principal Jenny McDonald said: “We are so proud of our students and their performances – they all performed to a high standard and we are overwhelmed with their Trinity Distinction.

“We are opening an afternoon academy in the autumn to be able to accommodate even more children in Rugby.”