PUPILS from Droitwich Spa High School and Cutnall Green CE First School came together to present a double bill of Shakespeare.

Eighteen pupils from Cutnall Green First School opened the evening with a spirited and lively performance of ‘The Tempest’ with some very witty asides and additions to the script that the audience greatly enjoyed.

The cast included Sam Horton (Prospero), Oliver Thomas (Antonio), Crystal Loveridge (Miranda), Jessica Jelfs (Ariel), Isla Fishwick (Caliban), Elizabeth Harris (Alonso), Teddy Rowe (Ferdinand), Laura D'Auncey (Sebastian), Joshua Pitt (Gonzalo), Katie Maxted (Trinculo), Joshua Hewlett (Stephano), Lily Noone (Adrian) and Thomas Smith (Francisco) with Caitlin Valle, Elise Harris, Max Rigby, William Picken and Grace Jeffs playing the parts of various sailors, spirits and King’s men.

The second half of the evening belonged to the pupils of Droitwich Spa High School. Directors Laura Jones, head of drama, and Keira Lapsley, drama teacher, worked closely with the pupils to deliver a version of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ that had a definite 1960’s feel about it.

The band included Jake Wakefield – vocals, Joe Harrison – saxophone, George Forrester – bass guitar and Toby Barker – drums.

Eleanor Bradley (Titania) and her Fairies (Caitlen Denby, Heather Kirby and Ella Bacon) lit up the stage with their magical presence and Evelyn Gill (Puck) projected her character with style and confidence.

Oli Cowlishaw (Lysander), Sophie Daniels (Hermia) and Charlotte Mortimer (Helena) were dynamic and expressive and managed to convey the explosive ‘love interest’ plot line with a maturity greater than their years.

Tom Hill (Demetrius), Beth Masters (Egeus), Maya Pillay (Hyppolyta), Chloe Price (Peter Quince), Faye Davis (Tom Snout), Felicity Jones (Snug) and Megan Paskin (Oberon) were all wonderfully convincing and at ease in their roles, demonstrating a good understanding of the genre.

Harry Gethins (Bottom) and Charlie Harrison (Francis Flute) were excellent in portraying the over the top, melodramatic and hopelessly deluded actors ensuring that the audience left smiles on their faces.

Head of Creative Arts, Nick Wardle, said: "It was a wonderful evening of music and drama and shows what can be achieved when disciplines within the arts are combined imaginatively.

"All pupils involved, from both Droitwich Spa High School and Cutnall Green First School, should be very proud of themselves indeed.

"We hope to make this a regular event which, in the future, can involve more schools in the Droitwich area.

"It was a tremendous learning opportunity for all who took part as performing to this standard on the stage develops each pupil’s confidence, improves their understanding of the material and gives them an opportunity to work effectively as part of a team.

"I would like to thank all the pupils who took part and the staff who made this possible."

The performance took place on Thursday, April 27.