Stage productions under review

The combined colleges' annual stage production may not fill its usual slot on the 2010 entertainment calendar because of a review of extracurricular activities.

Since 1995, Marlborough Girls' College (MGC) and Marlborough Boys' College (MBC) have alternately co-ordinated combined student shows. Musicals staged recently included Fame – The Musical, Buddy and Hair.

This year, MBC produced West Side Story, but there are whispers in the wings that the girls' college will withdraw from the partnership and not organise the 2010 show.

Asked about the rumours, MGC principal Karen Stewart acknowledged the annual stage production was "being reviewed".

"But it's not a story at the moment," she said. "It's just part of a review of a whole range of things."

Ms Stewart said the shows were an extracurricular activity, meaning rehearsals – and, ultimately, the productions – did not compromise study times.

Asked whether finances were an issue, or if teachers were overloaded, she repeated: "It's [just] part of a normal review; it's too early to talk to you."

It is understood both senior and junior drama productions are being reviewed along with all extracurricular activities at the school.

Head of the arts faculty at Marlborough Boys' College, Ngaire Searle, said she had had no communication with MGC about its combined college production plans, but others were talking.

She said MBC would be "enormously disappointed" if a stage show was not held next year. The co-educational opportunities it provided were invaluable for students from single-sex schools, she said.

It was also a starting point to a career in the entertainment industry for some, and for nearly everyone, involvement in the production was among the highlights of their time at secondary school.

Mrs Searle said rehearsals for this year's productions were held over two terms and students worked out the times and days they could attend. Many had after-school jobs, music and sporting commitments to juggle, not to mention study obligations.

The highest achievers were often the busiest students, she said. Regular routines helped young people better manage their lives.

Chief executive of the Marlborough Civic Theatre Paul Towson said the shows were an important part of the town's culture.

"It's a great way of bringing the two colleges together, and it's well known in the town as a quality event – and it gets students to expand their skills."

Mr Towson said the Civic Theatre Trust provided discount rates to schools and community groups using the theatre. West Side Story, he said, had definitely been a financial success.

- The Marlborough Express