BREAK a leg!
Today we're pulling back the curtains and taking centre stage with more memories of school productions.
Nigel Hildreth was a music teacher at the Stanway School from 1981 until 1987.
We recently shared his pictures of productions of All the King’s Men, in 1981, and Guys and Dolls, in 1986.
Strike a pose - the Stanway cast performing in Oh! What a Lovely War, in 1985
Today we have more archive photos to show you and, once again, they feature future Blur frontman Damon Albarn.
The former Stanway student played a lead part in The Boyfriend, in 1982, and was a cast member in Oh! What a Lovely War, in 1985.
The latter was an ensemble show, with no leads.
"Our productions were a great way of developing pupils' interest in the performing arts and music, in particular," said Mr Hildreth.
Sharing a joke - Blur star Damon Albarn during his days at the Stanway School, appearing in Oh! What a Lovely War
"We involved hundreds of youngsters in shows and concerts and, in the seven years I was at the school, we performed The Damnation of Jonathan Fist, All the King's Men, Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, The Boyfriend, Oh! What a Lovely War, Guys and Dolls, Orpheus in the Underworld and The Bartered Bride.
"The latter was a collaboration with the Royal Opera House.
"We couldn't have done these productions without the help of many colleagues on the staff, including Tony Saitta, who directed most of the shows, Jenny Morgan and Michael Knight, in the art department, and Kate Wraight.
Music makers - the cast perform The Boyfriend, in 1982
"My wife, Wendy, was also vital and helped in so many ways, in particular in the choreography department."
The Stanway students did not just perform in shows.
The school choir performed as part of a larger youth choir in The Return of Odysseus at the Festival Hall, on London's South Bank.
It was also part of a large group at the Royal Albert Hall in Belshazzar’s Feast.
French maid - Ginny Henson in The Boyfriend
Mr Hildreth, now 67 and still living in Colchester, added: "Our school concerts included a wide variety of ensembles and compositions by our students, featuring one by Damon Albarn.
"I know the level of activity might not be sustainable today and, in particular, the effects of the pandemic are severe upon music making in schools.
"I look back and realise we had a golden time in putting on such shows and performances."
All smiles - Maxine East as one of the bathers in The Boyfriend
Belting out a tune - the cast of The Boyfriend, in 1982
Centre stage - Damon Albarn and Jane Graham perform in The Boyfriend
Golden era - the Stanway School staged a production of The Boyfriend, in 1982
Hitting the right notes - the cast of The Boyfriend
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