The Mary Poppins Concert, live streamed on Tuesday afternoon to members of the Senior Choir, was practically perfect… apart from the very sad fact that the Year 6 pupils were unable to perform to their families, friends and the larger audiences that they were so looking forward to entertaining.

Government guidance on reducing the spread of the coronavirus put paid to the four performances the children usually give, including one to an invited audience of children from local primary schools and some of the residents of Harrier Grange Care Home. We hope to be able to reprise these live shows in their full splendour next term.

Growing up, Mary Poppins was one of Mr Hession’s favourite films and it still evokes very fond memories when he watches it. So, directing the musical with Year 6 has been a nostalgic journey for him, as well as a hugely enjoyable process. Notwithstanding the unprecedented situation, the show must go on! And go on it did, using the wonders of modern technology.

Mr Hession enthuses, ‘I was so incredibly proud of the children’s professionalism and conscientiousness. We literally had to re-block everything because of the different venue, smaller space and reduced set. Not to mention the fact that they were managing costume changes and so forth that had never been rehearsed! Some of them only tried on their costumes for the first time today. And they had to remember the order of the songs because lots of songs were cut so that it would fit into the hour.’

‘They had to adapt so much of what they have done previously to turn an ‘almost finished’ musical into an ‘entirely finished’ concert, complete with partial set changes, costume changes and snippets of dialogue woven throughout. They did this in less than two hours and I would never have thought it possible.’

He finishes, with his recognisable wit, ‘All of the children gave excellent performances and I have heard that the parents were full of praise afterwards. It wasn’t the show I wanted but I’m thrilled we did it. I hope it gives this year group a boost of confidence for future shows – under extreme circumstances, we have all found that a spoonful of sugar really does help the medicine go down!’