9 minute read
Events
Les Misérables, LSF Production, March 2020
By Nick Grainger (Class of 1980)
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Earlier this year, months of dedication, blood, sweat and tears came to magnificent fruition in the form of The Foundation’s production of Les Misérables, performed over several nights in early March. The event was supported enthusiastically and in great numbers by the whole LSF community and attended by a large number of alumni and former teaching staff (including Mr & Mrs Neville Ireland and Mr Barry Percival who met up with old boy, Ian Ellis (Class of 1968) who made a special journey from his home in Kentucky to attend the event!) Indeed, it became apparent that alumni representing all years between 1950 and the recent past were present during the show’s run and I, myself, was particularly keen to witness the event given that my son, Ted, was in the cast and that I had been involved in the school’s landmark production of Die Fledermaus 40 years before. Back in 1980, the school was praised for its ambition in attempting such a demanding piece of theatre and now it must receive even greater plaudits for the scale of this achievement.
I first saw Les Mis in 1988, then only two years into its first West-End run with Michael Ball as Marius and Colm Wilkinson as Valjean. It was less a musical, more a phenomenon and it immediately became my favourite show, it was played and listened to hundreds of times over the next thirty years. I know and love it…well. Consequently, I came to enjoy myself on that Friday evening in March and I was not disappointed. Director, Sally Bruton’s set together with the lighting and sound were excellent, transforming the Hodson Hall from school assembly venue into a vibrant amphitheatre and drawing the audience into 19th Century France with irresistible realism. The well-known score was expertly delivered by the fine orchestra under the baton of Stuart Thompson (I know this because I didn’t notice them) and the cast were, quite simply… outstanding. Playing older men when you are still in your teens is difficult for male performers but Freddie as Valjean and Olly as Javert carried off their parts with great control and gravitas whilst Alex was simply wonderful as Thenadier (a great part, yes, but it needs to be done well to avoid audience disappointment). Ben looked the part and was suitably heroic as Marius whilst Will led the doomed students with defiant gusto. The female leads were impressively professional in their acting and singing - Fran, Lucy and Emilia as Cosette, Eponine and Fantine respectively were all superb and delivered their showstoppers with skill, passion and wonderful technique (congratulations to Musical Director David Morris) whilst Jess was wonderfully comic as Mme Thenadier. The supporting cast of students, townsfolk, prisoners and whores was high on energy, commitment and talent and provided a perfect frame for the endeavours of the main protagonists. Bravo everyone – as a Loughburian thespian of the past I was made to feel very proud and to realise how the quality of school productions has moved on in recent years.
By Elizabeth Fair (Class of 2019)
The Oxbridge Dinner in January 2020 was one of the highlights of my spring term. I remember hearing my friends talk about their positive experiences of attending when they were at school, and so I was intrigued to attend myself, despite knowing very few of my LSF contemporaries at Oxford. The evening started with a beautifully serene evensong in Somerville College Chapel, followed by a three course meal and speeches. I stayed there much later than I had anticipated, talking and chatting with friends.
The event aims to encourage current year 12 students at Loughborough Schools Foundation to think about applying to Oxford or Cambridge, giving them a taste of some of the more unique features of Oxbridge life and a chance to talk with Oxford and Cambridge students. Although I did not attend when I was at school, I remember friends talking about how surprised they were that the students were so ‘normal’. This was one of my greatest fears when applying to Oxford – that I wouldn’t fit in because of preconceptions and stereotypes about Oxbridge students. I really wanted to help current LSF students explore some of their questions surrounding Oxford life, and uncover the myths that were stopping them from applying.
Talking with the students over dinner, we also had conversations about LSF school life. It was interesting to hear how the schools had changed, exchange stories, and a really good time to reminisce about my time at the Foundation. Oxford terms are often quite full on, and it was good to be able to take this time to escape from the hurry and bustle of term time to think about my time at school, help other students with their application processes and thinking, and enjoy a good time with friends.
Reunion: Class of 2014 get together
Scott Boardman (Class of 2014) organised an impromptu reunion in Loughborough on Wednesday 7 August 2019 - a nice turnout for a school night!
Remember the good old days when people could actually meet? Hopefully soon this will once again be possible! If you hold a get together of school friends, why not take a snap and share with us? Meanwhile, Loughburians Live can help to connect you virtually with friends old and new – see page 18 for more information on how our new alumni website can help.
Festivo! De Montfort Hall, March 2020
As concerns grew about coronavirus numbers nationally, the music department of the Loughborough Schools Foundation were putting the final polish on their preparations for our largest single music event of the year. The annual Spring Concert at De Montfort Hall is always a spectacular celebration of music making from across the Foundation and typically alumni of the Schools are invited back to perform alongside current pupils. This year was no exception, with 400 performers taking to the stage for Festivo! on Saturday 14 March, in what turned out to be one of the last social gatherings and performances before the first national lockdown was announced.
Festivo! featured two of the LSF ensembles who had previously enjoyed great success on the stage of the National Festival of Music for Youth. Audience members were left as ‘Massed Strings’ (forty students from all four of the Foundation’s Schools and some invited alumni) opened proceedings with Andante Festivo by Jean Sibelius. The Symphonic Wind Band then went on to perform Edward Gregson’s Festivo. Following the interval, the Symphony Orchestra performed Johannes Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture.
Whilst performances were universally excellent, special mention must be made to the soloists, then year 13 students now Class of 2020 alumni. Danushka performed a movement from Edward Elgar’s iconic cello concerto accompanied by the Symphony Orchestra, whilst Yash was the vocal soloist as the massed choirs and Symphony Orchestra performed three of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Five Mystical Songs. The concert came to a spectacular close as the massed choirs and orchestra were joined by year 7 pupils from all three senior in no doubt of the breadth of talent across the Foundation
schools in a rousing and energetic performance of Charles Villiers Stanford’s joyful Te Deum in B flat and Hubert Parry’s triumphant ‘I Was Glad’.
It was a pleasure to see so many parents, alumni and friends of the Schools bear witness to the outstanding array of musical talent on display. We can only hope that performances of a similar scale will be permissible again soon.
Christmas Gifts
Stuck for ideas for Christmas presents for those who shared your school years in Loughborough? Or fancy treating yourself? Why not check out the Gifts and Merchandise section of our website at www.lsf.org/shop. As well as pin badges and our ever popular 1495 gin, you will find special heritage merchandise created with the 525 anniversary of Loughborough Schools Foundation in mind.
Loughburian Student Reps
New for 2020/21 is the role of Loughburian Student Rep, to create a link between the Development Office, the Alumni Association and pupils in the Senior Schools. Meet our first batch of student reps below:
Ellie Fernandes
School: Loughborough High School
Prefect Role: Development, Alumni Engagement and Events Prefect
A level subjects: History, Politics, English Literature
Career Ambition: I would like to be a lawyer
What working with alumni means to me: I think it is so important that our school maintains a sense of unity even after we leave. The school community will always be part of us, whether it’s through reunions, meeting up with friends or offering networking to students within your profession.
Ben Jones
School: Loughborough Grammar School
Prefect Role: External Relations
A level subjects: Economics, Geography, Maths
Career Ambition: I am interested in environmental issues and want to pursue a career in sustainability.
What working with alumni means to me: To create a strong relationship between current pupils and old boys. For old boys to keep in contact with the school. Help organise social events that bring old boys back together.
Evie Elliott
School: Loughborough Amherst School
Prefect Role: Deputy Head Prefect
A level subjects: Music, English, Music Technology
Career Ambition: I would like to go into the Music Industry
What working with alumni means to me: To help facilitate opportunities for former students to meet current pupils. This might be to build up a network for shared experiences of time at the Loughborough Schools Foundation, or even for careers advice in the future.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Re-scheduled 525 Gala Dinner
Plaisterers’ Hall, London Saturday 20 November 2021, 18:30 Individual tickets: £90, table of 10: £800
Join us for a spectacular gala dinner and evening of entertainment as you share memories with fellow alumni. See www.lsf.org/development/events-overview/ for details and booking.
