I sometimes wonder just exactly how much of my life I’ve spent in a blacked out room watching people pretending to be other people. It’s a lot.

Some people call this going to the theatre.

And for them it’s recreational activity, something pleasant, uplifting even. A night where the spiritual fulfilment of high culture is mixed with the social interaction of friends and family. A light g & t in the interval maybe, a meal after the show perhaps, a chance to extend the frivolity into a twilight of apres thespian merriness.

Not me. I think of it more as one of the many occupational hazards to be navigated on a bitter sea of darkness in an attempt to earn a simple crust.

At this point the stage direction for the narrative thus far might read:

Exit stage left - a bitter, short, hunch backed, bald little man in glasses.

Think here, of Malvolio’s last line as he exits in Twelfth Night. “I’ll be revenged on the whole pack of you”.

But every now and again there is an experience that reminds you why you keep going back. When even the hardened, embittered and granite like cynics amongst us (take a bow A C Roberts) can offer no resistance. An experience that enlivens and transport you. Something that energises the soul. That means you exit that darkened room a finer man or women. Salvation!

Was it the National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare company, The Barbican the Southbank that brought me this solace. I am frequent visitor to all these places.

No. It was the Gilberd School in Colchester.

Annie - The Musical

It may be a hard knock life for Annie but for the audience it was anything but. From the electric opening number, from the moment the quite extraordinary Megan McGregor belted out the crescendo note in the opening song we were all utterly transfixed. I literally span round in my seat to exchange open mouthed astonishment with my wife (ok she was sitting behind me - don’t ask). OMG ! We mouthed to each other.

Those of you who thought that the Gilberd’s previous years outstanding production of Billy Elliot was a one off, a once-in-a-lifetime piece of luck, something akin to Leicester City winning the premiership then think again.

This show fizzed with energy, it skipped delightfully in mood and tone, the creative team had somehow galvanised what appeared to be a cast little short of the whole school into a breathtaking display of musical theatre at its best.

This isn’t by chance or fluke or simply having some very talented pupils. This comes from The Gilberd creating a culture where children are genuinely given the freedom to express themselves.

The set, the orchestra, the lighting, the sound all magnificent - but mostly hats off to the cast