Weymouth pupils return to the Good Old Days (From Thisisdorset)

Weymouth pupils return to the Good Old Days

11:30am Wednesday 10th February 2010 in

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IT WILL be a return to The Good Old Days when the magic of the music hall is brought to life in a variety show extravaganza.

It’s a first for Westfield Arts College, the Weymouth school which caters for children with moderate learning difficulties, as virtually all the students will be performing.

The Westfield Old Tyme Music Hall celebrates the school’s new status as an arts college, while also supporting Haiti earthquake victims.

The school has linked up with Seaview Holiday Park in Preston in order to stage the show – twice.

There will be an afternoon performance for residents of local residential and care homes and an evening performance open to all.

There will be a collection and raffle in aid of Haiti victims.

Westfield drama teacher David James said students would be following in the footsteps of music hall greats such as Gracie Fields and Dan Leno. There will be sketches, turns by a magician and mind reader and classic songs including The Lambeth Walk.

Mr James said music hall helped to bridge the generation gap.

An integral part is audience participation – reflected in the ‘Chiefly Yourselves’ part of the title from the TV show The Good Old Days.

Mr James added: “We’ve been looking at popular culture through the ages.

“Music hall’s heyday was from 1850 to 1950 but it has its roots in the Bartholomew Fairs of the Middle Ages.”

Mr James said 100 youngsters were involved. Students have been working with industry professionals specialising in costumes and music. Mr James said: “The whole school is buzzing with it – people have been singing in the corridors.”

The evening show is at 7.30pm tomorrow. You can buy £3 tickets from the school – telephone 01305 833518.