Advent Service
We finished the term and celebrated the season with our traditional Advent Service in St. Dunstan's church on Wednesday 19th December. This included singing, drama and music from our orchestra, BC Sinfonia, and was a truly magical evening celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Children
Our newly equipped Auditorium continues to provide students with the opportunity to perform in a purpose-built theatre and it was in here in which our Christmas production Christmas Children was staged. Over 120 students auditioned to be in the cast, however only 50 students could take part due to the size of the stage! The show took place on Tuesday 4th December with two performances, both of which were sold out within 2 days of going on sale! The show, written, directed and choreographed by Miss Williams and musically directed by Miss Hudson consisted of 15 musical numbers, performed by a live band. The performers cannot be congratulated enough as they were truly outstanding, with lead roles played by Mairead Mallon, Tom O'Connell, Bernard Fanning, Oisin Cooke and Luke Murphy. Audience members commented on the professionalism of the performers, and many commented that the show was on a par with professional performances they had seen. We were particularly delighted with our youngest performers, whom for some it was their first show. A massive congratulations to all students who took part in Christmas Children. We are very proud of you!
Battle of the Bands 07
On Tuesday 20th November, Battle of The Bands 2007 took place in St. Dunstan's social club. Over 200 students turned out to enjoy a cover version and an original song from 5 of our talented school bands. The audience voted by secret ballot for their winners, and Indie Funk were crowned the Kings of Battle of The Bands 2007. Indie Funk is made up of Year 13 students Tom O'Connell, Stephen Burke, Patrick McEvoy, Bernard Fanning, Ryan Bennett and Johnny Murray. They won a 10 hour professional recording session at Robanna's, a prize that we hope will give them an insight into the real world of rock and roll! Well done to all bands who took part - keep rockin' and we'll see you next year in Battle of The Bands 2008!
We Will Rock You
Bishop Challoner Performing Arts Department were lucky enough to secure the rights to perform the hit West End Musical, "We Will Rock You".
We Will Rock You ran from Thursday 12th to Saturday 14th July. Twelve weeks of long rehearsals after school and at weekends culminated in a musical extravaganza. Mairead Mallon and Thomas O'Connell played Scaramouche and Galileo respectively and their performances were truly outstanding. They were supported by Ciara Smyth, Josef Fleming, Sarah Meehan and Bernard Fanning and huge congratulations needs to be given to these principal characters on their professionally accomplished performances; all beautifully supported by a hard-working and talented Ensemble.
The show ran for three performances in total and the feedback from the audience was astonishing. All marveled at the professional standard of the performers. The cast received a standing ovation on all three nights and the audience went wild with their glow sticks, singing along to Queen Classics such as We Are The Champions and Bohemian Rhapsody. A massive well done and congratulations goes to the cast and crew of We Will Rock You for all their hard work and endeavors. It was definitely the most successful, well received and enjoyable show we have ever put on and this is due to the magnificent cast and crew.
Click here to see some highlights of the show
Birmingham by Candlelight
This event took place on Wednesday 9th May. Our students were set a commission by AQA. The commission they sent was as follows-
Summer Festival Event
Your company is invited to be a part of the celebrations to welcome visiting foreign dignitaries on June 3rd and 4th.
The content must be suitable for the general public and for non-english speaking visitors in particular.
Performances will be at heritage sites and other venues of interest in your area.
We look forward to your contribution.
Our students devised a piece of theatre set on Birmingham's Canal boats. The boat took the audience on a journey through Birmingham's cultural pride. Including visits to our Asian, Irish and African communities.
The evening was a celebration of different cultures in Birmingham. The audience not only witnessed some amazing performances but were also treated to a cultural buffet. Well done to everyone involved.
Battle of the Bands
On 8th March '07, Bishop Challoner hosted Battle of the Bands in St. Dunstan's Social Club. Bands were auditioned to take part in this event and 7 acts in total performed on the night. Performing Arts staff never cease to be amazed by the talent of the students at Bishop Challoner and this night proved to be no exception. "The Los Angeles"… were crowned the winners of the battle, however, the quality of all acts was second to none. It was an absolutely outstanding show and we would like to congratulate all students who participated and made the evening such a success.
Celtic Spirit
The evening took place on Friday 16th February in the Auditorium at Bishop Challoner. The night was a sell out and began in the foyer with Irish coffees and Guinness cake. Connor O' Sullivan stole the show playing the Lord of the Dance. He was supported by Jade Cardin as Morrighan, Fiona Marshellum as Soarise, Christopher Schriererier as Don Dorcha, Josef Fleming as Maret and Sophie Frankers, Shannon Hynes, Siobhan Morgan as the Dancing Fairies. Sarah Huxley dazzled the audience as the Spirit of the Dance while Mairead Mallon wowed them as Erin the Irish Goddess with a beautiful rendition of "Suil a Ruin" and "Danny Boy".
The story took place when time stood still and Erin was goddess of all. The stories had been written and everyone knew their parts. But the ancient clan, sitting in their stone circles, had heard mumblings and the spirit's dream was troubled. A new dark power had emerged to challenge the Lord of the Dance.
The evening was a huge success and all the cast did a fantastic job. You should all be very proud of yourself!
X-Factor
Thanks to everyone who took part in this years X-Factor. The Grand Final was show packed with amazing contestants. The judges had no choice but to swap their put downs for compliments and there was hardly a nasty word to be said all night…well almost…our nasty judge Mr Simon Cowell commented on one act saying, " That was the worst performance so far. That Song requires personality and you have no personality". However, it was Mr Cowell's favourite group who also got your vote and won the junior category. The Winners with "Valerie" were Jonathan Hammond, Oisin Cooke and Matthew Tully. Well done Boys! The Winners of the older category... and we mean older!... were Mr. Tsintas and Mr. Harrisson with the song "Take Me Out". Our very own Sharon Osbourne said to the winners, "You can "Take me out" anytime. "
Well done everyone. A most enjoyable evening was had by all………even Simon and Louis!
Winter Wonderland
Bishop Challoner were proud to present, "Winter Wonderland" - a Christmas Spectacular. The show told the story of a young girl whose father had been sent away to war. On the night before Christmas morning the young girl is taken to a place with dancing snowmen, singing reindeers, magical fairies and Santa Claus. She wakes up on Christmas morning to find it had all been a dream but that Santa Claus had brought her the one thing she had dreamed about…her father had come home from War.
The cast did an amazing job and performed numbers such as "Christmas makes me cry", "Walking in the Air", "Silent Night" and "Winter Wonderland" to name but a few. Many of the audience were in tears and said the evening was a very magical occasion. Well done to everyone involved , you gave amazing performances.
Night of 100 Stars
Night of 100 stars was an evening to the celebrate the Arts. It took place at South Birmingham Theatre. For some of the pupils, this exciting spectacle was their first opportunity to perform, let alone to in a professional theatre. The children performed excerpts from Les Miserables, Wicked the Musical, Oklahoma, Annie, Boogie Nights the Musical, Grease, A slice of Saturday Night, Rent, Sweet Charity and Billy Elliot the Musical as well a fashion show, showing the work of a carnival artist (Gary Jones).
The evening was a great success despite a few technical problems. We would like to praise both staff and students for remaining professional at all times.
Beauty & the Beast- Winner best production
Big the Musical- Winner best Production
West Side Story-Winner best Production
