Witham: Operatic Workshop set to host High School Musical

Witham Operatic Workshop (WOW), is putting on a production of High School Musical at the Public Hall, in Collingwood Road, from February 19 to 24.

The 32-strong cast is made up of children and adults aged between 11 and 21 from Witham, Maldon and the surrounding areas.

WOW’s High School Musical show will feature singing, dancing, romance and more.

Actors - left to right: Madison Austin who plays Taylor, Fionn Crickett who plays Ryan, James Green who plays Chad, and Rhianna Gregory who plays Sharpay (Image: Rhoda Taylor)

In the zone - Actor Jack McConnell as Jack Scott (Image: Tim Eacott)

Steve Rogers is the production manager for the forthcoming show and a WOW committee member.

Wife Suzanne was the founder of WOW in 1996 and the couple have been helping children over the last 28 years.

Steve said: “My wife and I started doing amateur shows with the adult group.

"Our main passion is to help kids to grow. We don’t do it to get them to the West End, yet some have gone on to it.

“Our main aim is to give them skills that stick with them such as responsibility, theatre skills, being a team player and instilling confidence.

“You see kids of all ages putting real effort into something that they enjoy, and this comes across to the audience.

Around the piano - Actors Poppy Taylor as Gabriella Montez and Cleo Gunn as Kelsi Neilson (Image: Tim Eacott)

In character - Madison Austin and Poppy Taylor who plays Gabriella (Image: Tim Eacott)

“It’s going to be a fantastic night out for everyone, we are expecting it to be a sell-out.”

The charity is a subsidiary of the 125-year-old Witham Amateur Operatic Society.

Every year, WOW hosts open auditions in September for the following year’s February show, while also hosting theatre workshops for children and adults throughout the year.

The last time the group performed High School Musical was 17 years ago and for this year’s event many original members that performed in 2007 have returned to be the “creative forces" behind the show.

Performance - Another image of Rhianna Gregory and Fionn Crickett on stage (Image: Tim Eacott)

Performers - Actors Jamie March as Coach Bolton and Hattie Phillips as Ms Darbus (Image: Tim Eacott)

Ready to perform - Actors James Green and Madison Austin in costume (Image: Tim Eacott)

The performances will take place in February’s half-term week with one matinee showing and the rest starting at 7.30pm.

Ticket prices range from £10.50 to £16.50 from wow.org.uk/box-office.