Leonard Bernstein’s acclaimed musical West Side Story was brought to life by talented pupils of Spinkhill’s Mount St Mary’s College as they showcased their skills at The Montgomery theatre in Sheffield.
The cast performed the story of love and rivalry between two teenage gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. Set in the west side of New York, the show focused on the love story between Tony, former leader of the Jets gang, and Maria, whose brother Bernardo is the leader of their rivals, the Puerto Rican Sharks.
The cast was led by head boy, Harry Castle, who is no stranger to fame having this summer won the Junior Category of the BBC Proms Inspire Young Composer of the Year. Fellow sixth formers, Natasha Cutts and Lily Francina, shared the part of female lead, Maria.
The Mount St Mary’s production featured a 17-strong live orchestra which included current and former pupils as well as music department staff.
“It was an amazing show,” explained Lucy Kitchener, who is head of music at Mount St Mary’s College and the show’s musical director. “It was highly energetic with complex scores and an exciting, dramatic and powerful storyline. The story is based in 1950s America but the issues that arise are still as relevant today as ever. I’m extremely proud of the talent.”