Energize! coming back to Wycombe (From Ealing Times)

Energize! coming back to Wycombe

8:48am Monday 8th March 2010 in

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ENERGIZE! is coming back to High Wycombe with 1200 pupils from schools in the area performing at the Wycombe Swan.

This the ninth time students have come together to put on two exciting programmes of entertainment with two new productions.

It is just one part of the Wycombe Area Education Alliance's to bring students and staff together to make a major production they can all feel proud of.

Jane Smith is working on an original piece that she has written called Strike with choreographer Victoria Burnham which is a true story about school pupils who went on strike.

Director Jane Smith, who is an advanced skills teacher for Bucks Music Service and a music specialist teacher at Seer Green School, said: “It is the story of the longest strike in history.

“It took place 100 years ago and is a true story. I had never heard of the story before and especially as I am a teacher I could not believe I hadn't heard of it.”

Annie and Tom Higdon were removed from a school called Wood Dalling in North Norfolk in 1914 following a clash with the local authorities.

Pupils who disagreed with the sacking went on strike from the school and set up an alternative school called Strike School in Burston where they taught until 1939, shortly before Annie's death. The strike lasted 25 years.

Jane added: “It really is an amazing story and it is great fun. It is really good for children to get to work together for the big project.”

Helen Garratt and Andrew Sykes are working on a production called Scheherazade by Nick Perrin based upon the 1001 Arabian Nights which promises to be full of eastern promise.

There are more than 40 schools involved in the project. For the first half of the show 10 individual schools will put on their own performances.

Jane added: “It takes a lot of organisation but it is worth it. It is fun trying out new pieces. This was written especially for them.”

Scheherazade is programme one which will be at the Wycombe Swan on March 16 and 18 at 7pm. Strike is programme two which is on March 17 and 19 at 7pm. Tickets cost £12 and £9 for children and concessions. Call the Box Office on 01494512000.