If you missed London’s Grand Theatre High School Project 2023 production of The Phantom of the Opera, you missed the thrill of a lifetime. Throughout the summer holidays, following rigorous auditions and meetings, a talented group of London and area students were selected to play the renowned roles of Phantom, Christine, Raoul, and a host of other characters, crew, singers, and musicians. Amidst final exams, summer jobs, etc., the cast practised long hours with their directors to present a top-notch, A+ musical performance.
Throughout summer afternoons and evenings from September 19th – October 7th, the talented cast of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s famous musical sang and danced their way into the hearts of eager theatre goers. Whether the audience was composed of students, parents, youth, or seniors, all agreed that the always sold-out performances were stellar. The most often-heard remarks referred to the students’ presentation as professional. In fact, a friend who had attended the musical in Toronto and several major cities, enthused that the London and area students’ rendition outdid them all. No wonder he attended the High School’s production twice!
The Grand Theatre’s partnership with local high schools has been a resounding success since they launched the first student play/musical 25 years ago. I attended the 2008 season’s production, The Pirates of Penzance; it was exhilarating. Smiling, bright-eyed youth threw caution to the wind, singing and dancing their way to future stardom!
What other group of people possesses the willingness, drive, unbounded energy, and enthusiasm, more than teenagers, always ready for a challenge. I taught secondary school students for 23 years, and I stand by my words. Let us raise a glass and sing praise to London’s Grand Theatre and district secondary schools for encouraging and supporting the amazing potential of their students.
-Sister Jean Moylan, CSJ