White Rock show hailed as "massive success"

The theatre took on its most daunting challenge ever when it put on Our House, the musical based on the songs of ska supergroup Madness, complete with huge dance routines and stunning set pieces.

Director Drew Baker and his team of choreographers, musicians and the all-important chaperones had just two weeks to drill the kids in their roles, from lead actors and actresses, through dancers and the technical team overseeing lights and props. But all the hard work paid off as the five packed performances received rave reviews.

Producer Tracy White, the theatre's head of education and community, was thrilled with the show.

"It was a massive success," she said. "This is the most technically demanding show we have ever done.

"It was a huge challenge because in the script there is about 20 parts, so with 130 kids we had to work out dance routines which would keep everybody happy, from the youngest eight-year-old to the oldest 18 year-old."

She said she had "great faith" in the audition process and that while the lead characters excelled '“ leading man Kane Verall had no fewer than 30 costume changes to contend with '“ the whole production was a huge team effort.

"It is a tough two weeks and the kids are in eight hours a day. But it's not just about the principal characters, it was the whole chorus who made the show as good as it was. We had some kids with two left feet and they found out they could dance which is fantastic. We have had lots of nice letters and emails from people so we are all really pleased."

And Mrs White admitted the pool of talent she can pick from here in Hastings is the envy of the theatre world.

"We are really lucky we have got so many good kids. They want to do this and they put the hours in to prove they want to do it.

"Plus we have got lots of people who give up their time to make it a success, people like the chaperones who are amazing and do it because they love the theatre."