The highly anticipated Brooklands’ Got Talent variety show was postponed due to the blazing heatwave.
But the delay couldn’t dampen the spirits of the performers at the Leighton Buzzard school – who went on to deliver a powerhouse performance that brought together the whole school community.
Auditions were held earlier this year alongside special invitations to members of the school’s ensemble clubs, with the all-important support of the Year 8 compères and backstage crew, who helped keep the whole performance running smoothly.
And it even showed off the skills of former pupil Eyvie Carrick – now studying A-level photography at Vandyke Upper School – who volunteered her talents to make sure the event was captured on camera.
Bethan Albone, director of music at Brooklands, explained: “What made this performance so special is that the pupils essentially created it from scratch – there was no script. They brought their own individual personalities, passions and raw talent to the stage.
"Inclusivity was at the heart of everything we did. Every single pupil who auditioned was offered a place in the show, with some receiving a little extra coaching or a few creative tweaks to help them feel stage-ready.
“Bringing the night to a close with around 60 pupils on stage belting out ‘This Is Me’ from The Greatest Showman was an unforgettable moment. It represented our young people perfectly. They are unique, they are talented, and having the platform to truly be themselves means the world to them and to us.
"That is the magic of Performing Arts – no matter the challenge, it gives us the freedom to stand out as ourselves.”
The performance relied heavily on a dedicated team of staff who worked tirelessly to mentor pupils, organise auditions, plan rehearsals, manage the technical elements and champion the pupils every step of the way.
Headteacher Julie Hodgson added: “As always, the audience were blown away by the variety and range of talent on show this evening. It was a great way to celebrate our pupils and a lovely way to end the term – a huge well done to all involved.”
It was a triumphant, fun-filled evening that will be remembered for a long time to come - a beautiful showcase of what happens when you give the pupils of Brooklands School the stage and the freedom to truly be themselves.
