The FHS Drama and Music Departments have done it again! Last Friday and Saturday, a phenomenally talented cast of over 80 FHS pupils from Years 7 – 13 took to the stage at the iconic Riverside Studios, Hammersmith, for two sensational performances of the classic Broadway musical, Guys and Dolls. Over 700 audience members were transported to the backstreets of 1950s New York and immersed in a tale of gangsters, gamblers and, above all, the redemptive power of love. To take on one of Broadway’s most beloved tales is no mean feat, but the cast rose to the challenge with creativity, commitment, courage and spectacular dramatic and musical talent. We revelled in brilliant performances of legendary musical numbers including Luck be a Lady, Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ the Boat and Marry the Man Today, while our actors’ empathic, vivacious and stunningly convincing performances (with accents described as “better than the West End”!) had the audience oscillating between tears and hysterical laughter throughout.

Taking the audience from the streets of Broadway wrought with gamblers and missionaries to the vibrant streets of Havana, the cast of over 80 tackled the show’s complex score and electric choreography with vivacity, poise and buckets of enthusiasm. Moments of musical comedy were interposed with tender duets such as Nathan’s heartfelt plea to Adelaide, Sue Me, and Sky and Sarah’s hopeful tune I’ll Know. In true FHS style, the highlights of the production were the explosive ensemble numbers which gave every single cast member the chance to shine, from the seedy gangsters playing Nathan’s illegal game of craps to the puritanical mission band.

Parents Carlos and Stephanie commented: “It is precisely experiences like these that make an education at FHS unlike any other. We are continuously blown away by the incredibly high bar that is met time and time again, but even more so by the opportunity given to all to participate and grow so much in the process.” The impressive history of FHS’s legendary annual theatre productions (the most recent being spectacular performances of Made in Dagenham at the Adelphi Theatre in 2022 and Singin’ in the Rain at the Shaftsbury Theatre in 2019) reflects the extraordinary versatility and range of our young actors, and the vision and belief of their directors.

Congratulations to all girls and staff (particularly the incredible FHS Drama and Music Departments) involved in producing such a brilliant show. It is impossible to single out any one actor’s performance, but special mentions must be given to our phenomenal Year 13 leads: Isabella as Nathan Detroit, Tess as Miss Adelaide, Raffy as Sky Masterson and Palmer as Sarah Brown. We look forward to watching our pupils’ acting careers continue to flourish in years to come, and are already looking forward to next year’s extraordinary show!