GALLERY: West Side Story wows audience over spectacular four-show run

On Saturday, 7 February, the curtain came down on our spectacular four-show run of West Side Story. Playing to full houses and standing ovations throughout the run, the production showcased the extraordinary depth of talent and creativity in the Senior School.

From the moment the curtain rose on opening night, audiences were transported to 1950s New York where the Sharks and Jets owned the streets. An impressive set and expressive lighting and sound design combined with powerful storytelling to bring the tragic love story – and Bernstein’s and Sondheim’s iconic music and lyrics – vividly to life.

Director Julia Williams is very proud of the whole ensemble and praised them for their commitment. She said: “West Side Story is a demanding musical that calls for exceptional acting, powerful vocals and dynamic choreography. Every member of our cast embraced the challenge with passion and determination and I could not be prouder of the incredible final result.”

Our pupils’ talents extended far beyond the stage with a skilled team of pupil technicians, artists, backstage crew and front-of-house volunteers all playing a vital role in the production’s success.

Mrs Williams again: “So many pupils have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that every detail shone. At King’s, the annual Senior School production is always a truly collaborative effort with staff and pupils combining their skills, creativity and expertise to put on the best possible show.”

West Side Story is the last Senior School production before Headmaster Mr Hartley leaves King’s at the end of the year. The cast chose the final curtain call to put him in the spotlight and thank him for his unwavering support of creative arts at King’s over the years.

Visibly moved by the recognition, Mr Hartley said: “Theatre has an incredible way of bringing people together and I have always been so proud of how the whole school rallies behind the production. I look forward to the production as one of the highlights of my year and is always a true celebration of the collaborative and creative spirit that defines King’s.”

It was also a final production for Mrs Davis, who is retiring this year after choreographing King’s shows for many years and contributing so much to the success of musical productions.

Speaking to the cast and crew, Mrs Davis, whose day job is as the PA to the Bursar, said: “In my job, I don’t get to work with pupils very often and that’s why I love working on the shows and running Dance Club. You all bring so much joy and laughter to my life.”

Audience members were unanimous in their praise, taking to email and social media with their reviews. One commented that they attended all four performances and “honestly could have watched it many more times,” noting the incredible detail, energy and variety throughout the show.

The principal actors were praised for their outstanding performances across acting, singing and dancing, while the ensemble’s energy and focus drew equal admiration with one more audience member describing the dancing as “a whirl of colour and raw emotion.”

This production of West Side Story will be remembered for many years for its exceptional quality and incredible cast who, following the final show, enjoyed a well-deserved Drama Dinner to celebrate the end of a memorable and successful run. 

The final word on our 2026 Senior School production goes to the audience who took to email and social media with their positive reviews throughout the week:

“Absolutely amazing”

“Simply phenomenal”

“The girls’ voices – and outfits – stole the show for me. Well done”

 “My word… Drama and Musical Theatre at King’s has come on in such a magnificent way over the years.”

“What a show! The singing was glorious, the acting mesmerising and the choreography electrifying, with every cast member – from the youngest performer to the most experienced – giving their all on stage.”

“I had the privilege of being there on opening night. Amazing, thank you!”

“The choreography was amazing and I couldn’t see anyone taking a wrong or hesitant step!”

“I honestly have no words to describe how phenomenal it was! It was as good or even better than the West End shows! All of the cast were truly amazing, the acting was just unbelievable. Three words … Simply the best!”

“Yesterday’s performance was absolutely engrossing and made me feel I was watching the show for the very first time – which is most definitely not the case!”

“Although I was riveted to the stage, I did take a look at the audience from time to time and they were absolutely entranced. All I heard in the interval was how good the show was.”

Full cast and crew list below. 

Main Cast

• Tony – Hector Walsh
• Maria – Connie Dawson
• Riff – Elliott Barnes
• Bernardo – Alfred Lloyd
• Anita – Sophie Hornby
• Doc – Daisy Seddon
• Chino/Krupke – Jack Golding
• Anybodys – Alice Henry

Jets

• Action – Freddie Hughes
• A-rab/Indio – Olly Herbert
• A-rab/Indio – Jonathan Das
• Baby John – Josh Hornby
• Snowboy – Luca Simpson
• Jet Boy – Sonny Lee-Jackson
• Jet Boy – Charlie Creer
• Jet Boy – Ewan Holt
• Jet Boy – Joseph Penson
• Jet Boy – Theo Pritchard
• Graziella/Jet Girl – Ava Gordon
• Graziella/Jet Girl – Eva Greaves
• Velma/Jet Girl – Ava Kerruish-Jones
• Velma/Jet Girl – Ella McNabb
• Jet Girl – Clara Holladay
• Jet Girl – Mollie Howdon
• Jet Girl – Sophia Jenkins

Sharks

• Pepe – Kai Kennedy
• Luis – Gabriel Wright
• Consuela – Jenna Gill
• Roselia – Gracie Parkin
• Gladhand/Shark Girl – Seren Moore
• Gladhand/Shark Girl – April Thane
• Shark Boy – Matias Garcia-Valencia
• Shark Boy – Sam Smith
• Shark Girl – Grace Adshead
• Shark Girl – Imogen Greene
• Shark Girl – Amelia Gregory
• Shark Girl – Lana Lu
• Shark Girl – Agatha Simmons
• Shark Girl – Esme Potter
• Shark Girl – Amelia Gregory

Ensemble – Jets and Sharks

• Andrea Arechaga
• Rosie Cropper
• Sam Fox-Manning
• Phillipa Frith
• Daniel George
• Blake Graham-Benson
• Harriet Gordon
• Katie Mallon
• Elsie O’Flynn
• Stanley Pudney

Vanbrugh Theatre Team

• Max Cheetham
• Jacob Wright
• Harry Moffatt
• Henrietta Calvert
• Matthew Shuler
• Rhys Jones
• Lewis Cole-Jones

Production Team

• Director – Julia Williams
• Musical Director – Debbie Whitfield
• Assistant Director – Alan Phoenix Holland
• Choreographer – Shirley Davis
• Producer and Costume Design – Delyth Roberts
• Technical Support – Clare Howdon
• Production Manager – Julia Flaherty
• Production Technician – Adam Cookson
• Graphics Designer – Ali Hollingworth
• Art and Design – Lorraine Black
• Art and Design – Natalie Corrigan