The Musicians of Bremen at Thomas Hardye School (From Dorset Echo)

The Musicians of Bremen at Thomas Hardye School

10:50am Thursday 11th March 2010 in

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A LIVELY ‘credit crunch’ musical that will enchant all the family comes to life in Dorchester this week.

Students from Thomas Hardye School are staging the Brothers Grimm story The Musicians of Bremen over the next three nights.

The fable is carried along by music composed specially for the occasion by music scholar and conductor Matt Huxley.

Matt conducts a band of around 30 student musicians, while the same number of actors, singers and dancers perform their adaptation of the story, updated for the world of the ‘credit crunch’.

In this version, directed by drama teacher Steve Fraser, the ‘animals’ of the original story arrive in Bremen only to find that it’s not such a clever place to be. Matters are not helped by the Grand Musicologist’s decree that music can only consist of three notes – easy in theory, so long as you know which notes they’re supposed to be.

Steve said: “It has been a privilege to work with as creative a musician as Matt Huxley and I think the team has produced an original and worthwhile stage work.

“This show is about the first class creativity and teamwork of students of all ages, collaborating over time to share their ideas and perceptions, and work to build a really worthwhile piece of theatre.”

The performance is a lively, family pantomime-style comedy and satire on the conventions of the stage musical, with excellent original songs and dance routines choreographed by students under the guidance of humanities teacher Claire Curtis, while director of music James Baker has overseen the contribution of his department.

Performances take place at the Thomas Hardye School theatre in Coburg Road, Dorchester today, tomorrow and Saturday at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5 plus concessions from 01305 266064.