‘You Can’t Stop The Beat’ at Sunmarke School!
After months of hard work at Sunmarke School, students and staff were set to perform the Musical ‘Hairspray’ from March 1st-6th 2020, however the restrictions on gatherings across the UAE halted the production just 24 hours before it was set to go live – devastating students, staff and parents alike.
The company of 50 talented performers and staff have since demonstrated incredible resilience by continuing to rehearse virtually, producing this uplifting video of the show’s opening number ‘Good Morning Baltimore.’
Set in the early 1960’s, at the birth of the civil rights movement, the themes that Hairspray resonates are never more poignant as they are in today’s society; Resilience, racial equality and image acceptance sung out load and proud in this stunning Musical.
Head of Performance at Sunmarke and Director of Hairspray, Claire Bennet stated;
“The experience and skills that unpin this theatre performance is paramount to a live audience witnessing the spectacle in real time within a purpose-built space. The audience’s relationship and the energy and atmosphere that creates coupled with the resilience, discipline and confidence to perform live on stage, creates a magic are incredibly challenging be replicated in another medium.
However, through the skill of Nick Jackson our Musical Director and the talent of our students, I am so delighted at how this video does beautifully encapsulate the joy of the Show. The incredibly positive response from the video means so much to all those involved and with so many views already, means are students are potentially reaching a much wider audience!”
Musical Director, Nick Jackson commented on the virtual performance; “rehearsing and performing virtually has presented us with unique challenges, but ones that our students have risen to with the utmost professionalism. It fills our staff with great pride to see our amazing performers pull together like this in such difficult circumstances and hopefully we will have the opportunity to realise the full show in the not too distant future!”
Lead performer, Year 12 IB Diploma Student Prisha Aswani who plays teen Tracey Turnblad stated “At Sunmarke we are always finding creative and innovative ways to perform. Never has this been more vital. We all have to adapt and move forward towards the new normal.”
We invite you to click play and allow this Broadway classic to brighten your day!
