"A Long Way From Home" (April 12th - 15th, 2005), was an original costumed show written by Mr Ian Craig in consultation with Mr Marcus Glanville and featured iconic works from the 20th century American songbook. It used modern technology to present these classic popular songs in their original context.Opening with Jana Van Wyk's inspirational rendition of "Motherless Child", the first half swung, jived and jitter bugged through such show tunes as "Anything Goes" (Abaigh McKee, Ellie Beck, Kayleigh Holder), before concluding with a jazzy "Take 5" (Lucy Inkster and James Medd) and a rocking "Shake Rattle & Roll" (Alfie Penfold). The Swing Band were excellent throughout, driving forward Fran Alton's "Let's Face the Music", and the crowd stirring "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" (for which she was joined by Hannah Soulsby with Rebecca Wallis on lead).
The musical journey was accompanied by projections (featuring the students themselves) which illustrated the social context of the decades involved. Against this backdrop the second half opened with Nicole Roughton's invitation to go "Dancing in the Street", and continued with the stark simplicity of Phil Jordan relaying Dylan's protest song "Blowing In The Wind". Sian Fawcett delivered an emotional "Ain't No Sunshine When He's Gone" beneath video clips of young soldiers lost to the Vietnam War.
Highlights were too countless to mention as the decades passed before us. David Little lead us into the stadium rock years with Bruce Springsteen's "Born To Run", (a popular choice for closing night finale), whilst Lucy Bai's "Like A Virgin" came complete with mini bridal gown. The show came right up to date with Alfie Penfold's "Walk this Way" rap, and Tim Price's "Teen Spirit", before the whole cast came back on stage for a grunge style reprise of "Pick A Bale O'Cotton", emphasising once more the debt contemporary music owes to black culture.
Other performers included Alex Cole, Oscar Tapp-Scotting, Rebecca Wells, Neil Jenkins, Sarah McCalla, Sarah Todino, Rosie Preston, James Bird, Sophie Goodwin, Anna Stewart, Hannah Soulsby, Megan Johnson, and Jessie Lancaster. Video performers included Lauren Stansfield, Fran Penfold, Miranda Tipple, Hannah Thomas, Ed Howitt, and Sheyda Akbari.
Even before closing night "A Long Way From Home" established itself with audiences as the best all round show the school has ever produced.
