Hartlepool students celebrate success of annual show

The youngsters from English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College, in Catcote Road in the town, once again wowed the crowds who turned out in their droves to see the school’s annual musical.

Year 9 student Emily Barnard took on the starring role of Annie in the classic musical, which tells the unforgettable story of a young girl forced to endure the misery of an orphanage run by the greedy Miss Hannigan, who was played by Year 13 student, Alice Relton.

This year’s musical director and choreographer, Mrs Charlotte Stirk, said: “Annie is an all-time classic musical packed with great songs.

“The cast worked unbelievably hard, rehearsing at least three times a week to be ready for the performances and I couldn’t be more proud of them all.”

Performed to over 800 people over a four-night run, the cast and crew put on a production that left audiences full of praise for the young talent on show with many messages of support being left on the school’s social media channels.

The annual musical at English Martyrs is a long-served tradition of the school and thousands of students have graced the stage of St. Anne’s Hall across the past forty four years.

Stephen Hammond, English Martyrs School and Sixth Form College headteacher, added: “Just when you think that the musicals at English Martyrs can’t get any better, the students blow me away.

“It gives me such pride to see them all performing together and seeing our younger students learning from the experience of our sixth form students.

“To create a show of that standard in just seven weeks is incredible and I thank everyone who is involved in making our productions such a huge success.”