'FAME' - School Production

What an iconic show! First the film, then TV show, then this musical. Who doesn’t sing along to Irene Cara’s voice on the radio with ‘Remember my name’? We follow the highs and lows of a group of students at New York’s School of the Performing Arts through their four-year course. We see them coming to terms with life and relationships; we see those who persevere, who are resilient, and those who are not. Above all, we see them perceiving the need to strive for excellence, but at what cost? In a world now where young people are faced with the challenges of social media, continued pressures and expectations, labels and self-confidence, as they journey into adulthood, this musical explores it all. We share these experiences through the eyes of  students such as Carmen, the ambitious dancer obsessed with fame, the serious actor Nick, and the talented dancer Tyrone, who struggles desperately with dyslexia. The show does not shy away from social issues, such as prejudice, drug abuse, and exploitation, as the young performers sow the seeds of their futures and explore the realities of striving for a career in show business.

Maybe it was because we, the teachers, are edging on through our working lives and began to really feel that at ‘middle aged’, it was time to bring back the magic of the 1980s to Oxted this year!

We would like to thank you everyone who came to watch our show. To all the parents and carers of the 135 cast (the biggest cast in five years), thank you for your support, for all the diary juggling, shuttling to and from rehearsals, sourcing costumes and packing lunchboxes and your time but most importantly, allowing your son or daughter to join in this wonderful school experience.