To be updated
House Plays
Digby House - Bouncers by John Godber
Cast:
Will Perry U6m
Charlie Wilson U6m
Harry Sykes U6m
Albi Robinson U6m
Wallace House – ‘Islands’ by Jester Jackson
Cast and Stage Crew:
Ed Booth 4e
John Hartley 4e
Isidore Turner 3e
Alex Sanders U6e
JJ Eden 3e
Gerald Asafo-Adjei U6e
Rufus Madden 4e
Monty Entwistle 3e
Jack Stebbings 5e
Ollie McVittie 3e
Ude Okoro 4e
Nathanial Booth 4e
Oliver Bibbey L6e
Felix Camacho 4e
Ibraheem Siddiqui L6e
Dylan Carr L6e
Abbeylands – Dick Barton and the Curse of the Pharoah’s Tomb by Phil Willmott
Cast and Stage Crew:
Reuben Gray L6f
Milo Fairman U6f
Archie Fairman 5f
Freddie Benbow L6f
Peter Poulain 3f
Charlie Scammell L6f
Felix DiNanno U6f
Felix de Montferrand U6f
Tom Houston 4f
Byron Spencer 3f
Zeeshan Mahmud L6f
Arthur Wilson 5f
Hugo Armsby 5f
George Stanford L6f
Jasper Blundell 3f
Marc Piney U6f
Will Thresh L6f
Donnacha O’Brien 4f
Bertie Ross 4f
The Green – Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Cast and Stage Crew:
Eddie Esdaile L6c
Max Lette 4c
Charlie Esdaile 4c
Jasper Richardson L6c
Angus James U6c
Nenad Marinkovic U6c
Harry Heard L6c
Eddie Warman L6c
Hugh Ferrier 5c
Ed Hyde U6c
Cassian Ali U6c
Will Ferrier U6c
Max von Bender U6c
Milo Spink L6c
Will Vivianne L6c
Ollie Morgan U6c
Seb Noori 5c
Milo Duder L6c
Fergus O’Connell L6c
Ned Melvin-Dorey L6c
Herbie Wood 3c
Albie Longe 3c
Henry Hoare 3c
Aziz Khodjaev 3c
Charlie Williams 3c
Johnny Doherty 3c
Ed Cowley 3c
Ted Cummings 3c
Raff Barlow 5c
Wilf Hargreaves 5c
Henry Wight 4c
Percy Butler L6c
Theatre Review written by the National School Theatre Awards:
Sherborne School: Les Misérables - Do You Hear the Students Sing?
As NSTA representative, I had the great pleasure of attending the Joint School production of Les Misérables on Saturday 6 December 2025. It is always ambitious when a school chooses to stage Les Misérables, but Sherborne Schools Group rose to the challenge with confidence and success.
Under Alastair Kirby’s assured direction, pupils from Sherborne Boys, Sherborne Girls and Sherborne Prep were seamlessly united to recreate revolutionary Paris. Dan Marks’ musical direction sustained the drama wonderfully, with the 16-piece band rarely taking rest, heightening tension and momentum throughout. Jodie Glover and Lily Potter played vital roles as Choreographer and Assistant Director, supporting Mr Kirby’s vision and uniting performers from across the schools. Les Misérables is a musical masterpiece, adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel and set against the turbulent backdrop of 19th-century France.
Since opening in the West End in 1985, the production has become a firm favourite with UK theatregoers, winning the Olivier Award for Best Actress for Patti LuPone’s iconic portrayal of Fantine. Its Broadway transfer in 1987 further cemented its legendary status, earning eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Best Original Score and Best Book of a Musical. At its heart lies the epic journey of Jean Valjean, whose transformation from hardened convict to respected citizen is shadowed by his relentless pursuit by Javert, a man convinced that no one can ever truly escape their past.
Staged in one of the school’s Great Halls, surrounded by generations of names etched into its walls, the sense of heritage and occasion was immediate. The prologue saw convicts move through the audience, placing us among the oppressed, before Forest (Valjean) and Jonah (Javert) established a compelling rivalry that anchored the production. Oliver’s Bishop of Digne was a standout performance, offering Valjean the mercy that reshapes his life. The ensemble came into their own with a powerful rendition of At the End of the Day, bursting with energy and expertly balanced across the varied vocal ranges of the three schools. Fantine’s tragic arc followed, her rendition of I Dreamed a Dream was delivered with sensitivity and emotional clarity, charting her descent through exploitation and loss. The sharp tonal shift of Lovely Ladies was slickly choreographed, briefly unsettling the audience before Fantine’s inevitable death returned the focus to suffering and injustice. The arrival of the Thénardiers brought much-needed dark humour. Siena and Nenad formed a deliciously slimy double act, sinister yet entertaining, drawing strong audience reactions. The ensemble supported them with raucous energy, while the orchestra’s stamina remained striking; this was a score played with relentless commitment. Act One built to a memorable close. Jonah’s commanding performance of Stars was a clear highlight, greeted with rapturous applause. Jonah is an excellent performer, with a strong voice and stage presence.
The introduction of the ABC students launched the audience into the revolutionary heart of the story, from The ABC Café to the thrilling One Day More. Hector’s Enjolras and Charlie’s Marius were impressive here, while Esme’s Eponine brought warmth and vulnerability. Her unrequited love contrasted beautifully with the blossoming romance between Marius and Cosette, portrayed tenderly by Charlie and Jane in A Heart Full of Love. The act ended with a striking tableau of rebellion, enhanced by effective lighting and the bold use of the tricolore on the cyclorama. Act Two sustained the production’s emotional intensity. Esme’s rendition of On My Own was exquisitely controlled and deeply affecting, balancing vocal precision with genuine emotional truth. This was not merely a beautifully sung number, but a fully realised piece of storytelling and a stunning example of acting through song effectively. The barricade scenes were powerfully realised through smoke, gunshots and flashing lights, expertly underscored by the orchestra. Moments of tenderness followed in Drink with Me and Forest’s moving Bring Him Home, showcasing stunning vocal restraint and emotional depth. The final scenes were handled with care. Charlie’s rendition of Empty Chairs at Empty Tables was truly haunting, leading into a gently harmonised trio with Jane and Forest in Every Day / A Heart Full of Love. Valjean’s final prayer brought Fantine and Eponine back as guiding spirits, joined by the fallen of the barricade and the hushed ensemble epilogue, creating a sense of calm resolution. With the final note, the production closed to a well-deserved full standing ovation. This was an impressive production and a testament to the depth of talent across Sherborne Schools Group. From the assured central performances to the strength of the ensemble work, the company demonstrated a clear commitment to storytelling, musical precision and emotional integrity. Supported by thoughtful direction, effective design and a powerful score delivered by a talented orchestra, the production captured both the epic scale and the human heart of Les Misérables. The audience response reflected the impact of the evening, which stood as a moving and memorable achievement for all involved.
As part of the National School Theatre Awards, we were nominated for the following prizes:
- Best Musical
- Best Ensemble
- Best Male Performer – Jonah Windle as Javert
- Best Female Performer – Esme Armstrong as Eponine
- Best Female Solo Moment – Esme Armstrong as Eponine
On 22 June 2026, pupils and staff travelled to the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End to attend the National School Theatre Awards, widely regarded as the Oscars of school theatre.
A particular highlight of the event was seeing Esme perform as Éponine during the awards ceremony itself, taking to the stage of the Gillian Lynne Theatre in the heart of the West End. This was a wonderful achievement and a fitting recognition of the quality and emotional impact of her performance.
The awards ceremony provided a memorable opportunity to celebrate the remarkable success of ‘Les Misérables’ and the dedication of everyone involved. To have our work recognised on a national stage was a proud moment for both Sherborne Boys and Sherborne Girls, highlighting the ambition, talent and excellence that continue to define joint school theatre at Sherborne.
LAMDA Results 2025/26
Speaking in Public
Grade 8
Anton Krnc 5a – Distinction
Daniel Gover L6b – Distinction
Grade 7
Harry Norman 5m - Distinction
Grade 6
Arthur Wilson 5f – Distinction
Grade 5
Aziz Khodjaev 3c– Distinction
Eason Tang 3f – Distinction
Freddie Beety 3d – Distinction
George Bennet 3c – Merit
JJ Eden 3e – Pending
Leo Li 3b – Pending
Victor Urrutia 3b – Merit
Grade 4
Jack Heaver 3f – Pending
Acting
Grade 8
Harry Cole U6g - Distinction
Harry Nicholson L6f – Merit
Oliver Bibbey L6e – Distinction
Ollie MacDonald L6a – Pending
Roly Heard 4d - Pending
Will Perry U6m – Distinction
Grade 7
Charlie Esdaile 4c – Pending
George Johnstone 5d – Distinction
Konark Balain L6a – Distinction
Rufus Madden 4e – Pending
Sebastian Willcox 5b – Distinction
Thomas Shaw 5g – Distinction
Will Franks 4g – Pending
Grade 6
Alex Sanders U6e – Distinction
Archie Fairman 5f – Distinction
Arthur Hudson 5b – Merit
Bobbie Foster-Kemp 3a - Pending
Eddie Pears 4g – Distinction
Harry Rogers 3d – Pending
Henry Brodrick 5f – Merit
James Keeping L6a – Distinction
Louis Brodrick 4b – Merit
Max Lette 4c – Distinction
Monty Entwistle 3e – Distinction
Noah Catovsky L6d – Distinction
Roddy Harris 4d – Merit
Xavier Aparicio 5g– Distinction
Grade 5
Arthur Green 3d – Pending
Ben Tall 5f – Merit
Cosmo Mills 4b – Pending
Felix Camacho 4e – Distinction
Harry Stenhouse 3g – Pending
Hector Mudd 3m - Pending
Hugo Armsby 5f – Merit
Jasper Blundell 3f – Distinction
Johnny Doherty 3c – Distinction
Ollie McVittie 3e – Pending
Will Fidgen 4g – Merit
Musical Theatre
Grade 7
Henry Clayton 4b – Distinction
Verse & Prose
Grade 7
Jamie Sterck L6a – Distinction
Grade 6
Gilbert Johnston 3b – Distinction
Hector Walker 5f – Distinction
Grade 5
Zuka Suhaimi 4b – Pending
Grade 4
George Keeping 4a – Distinction
Zuka Suhaimi 4b – Distinction
Diploma PCert LAMDA
Charlie Martin U6b – Pending
