productions...

Page: One | Two | Three | Four

Chicago
September 1995

Chicago, a musical vaudeville, was Petersfield Hi-Lights Youth Theatre's choice for their autumn production.

A wonderfully costumed, fast moving entertainment, it was driven by the enthusiasm of its young cast.

Once again the Young Hi Lights Youth Theatre put in the enormous amount of work required to make a complex production sparkle on stage.

Linda Daubney

The Wizard of Oz
September 1994

The Finale of Petersfield Hi-Lights Youth Theatre presentation of The Wizard of Oz was one of those truly special moments.

The audience had thoroughly enjoyed the wonderfully colourful costumes as they appeared in apparently never ending succession throughout the show.

But suddenly the wildly variegated scene resolved itself into a magically ordered pattern and there, before our eyes, spread the rainbow.

It provided the crowning moment to what was obviously a very enjoyable experience for the large young cast who worked hard to give their audience, a great many of whom were also young, an equally enjoyable evening.

Linda Daubney

The Wind in the Willows
October 1993

A theatrical barnstormer blew through the towering hardboard willows framing the stage of the Petersfield Hi-Lights Youth Theatre's long-awaited show at the Festival Hall last weekend.

Its smile-studded trail of music tore through the myth that youth theatre will always tend to be sweet but stilted, occasionally relieved with the humorous sound of hushed grown-up voices ordering some little petal on from the wings.

The Youth Theatre's production of Wind in the Willows came about because of rigorous planning and a campaign of fund-raising and photo-calls that could leave many local councillor's pre-election campaigns standing.

Luke Mariner

Godspell
September 1992

The circus came to town for three days last week, when the Petersfield Hi-Lights Youth Theatre performed their colourful and exciting production of Godspell.

Their production of the musical that launched David Essex in the seventies exuded a collective talent so powerful in range that it would be no miracle if a few local theatrical careers weren't themselves blessed at the Festival Hall last week.

Based on the gospel according to St Matthew Godspell is a fusion of message and song.

Luke Mariner

The Boyfriend
September 1991

Two years ago I wrote that the formation of the Junior Hi-Lights could have a far reaching effect. With this outstanding production they have come of age, so to speak, and have nothing to fear from our longer established companies. The Boyfriend has made many a reputation over the years, and this production could well herald a few more.

Ann Pinhey

Our Day Out
September 1990

Our Day Out, which was the first independent production of the Junior Hi-Lights from the Senior Hi-Lights Society, was performed recently at Petersfield School.

This presentation brought to the stage all the bubble and fizz that exuberant youth can muster, with undiluted enthusiasm sweeping the show along on a string of lively songs which were first rate.

The Junior Hi-Lights harbours some of the most dedicated-to-the-stage young talent imaginable, and it was a pleasure to see it come to fruition during the performance, with hardly a sign of nerves or hesitation in speaking their lines.

Many individual characters emerged from among the cast and it was obvious that each child was striving most successfully to identify with the part they played, and enjoying every minute of the performance with the back up of a superlative production team.

I particularly enjoyed the musical arrangements which were excellent, and contributed enormously to the success of the show.

Corrinda Brettell

Prev