THE PREP SCHOOL MUSICAL – Date: 10 August, 2024
Bishop Cotton School, Shimla, unveiled their production of the classic musical “Aladdin” performed by the junior and middle school students in the timeless Irwin Hall, Bishop Cotton School, Shimla (Classes 4 – 8). The show ran for three days performing to other schools in Shimla before the parents joined the special Saturday night performance, together with the chief guest for the event – Ms.Manasi Sahay Thakur, I A S Officer.
Ms Manasi Thakur said she really enjoyed the performance of Aladdin, and was impressed at the boy’s skills of acting as girls: “This is the first time in my life the stories that I fantasised about in childhood came to life on the stage. There are a few great life-long lessons to be learned from the storyline. The BCS school motto “Overcome evil with good “ suits the theme of the play well. I’d say to the boys to try new things in life and not let failure stop you. A strong value system is as good as having a genie. It helps you to troubleshoot.”
BCS Director Simon Weale said; “Thanks to everyone who helped make this such a wonderful production. The choir rehearsed for weeks, together with the musicians, and backstage crew. It is a real team effort putting on such a show in a school and with the teachers guiding the senior boys they have also gained vital leadership opportunities, which helps to make the world a better place in future.”
School community production
Bishop Cotton School is a fully residential, boys boarding school and the students have been rehearsing the production solidly for the past few weeks since returning from their summer break. The school community have come together to create a winning production, with the choir and musicians conducted by senior boys, backed up by a group of crew backstagers sorting out the lighting and props.
Aladdin plot and story (by the School Reporter Vihaan R Class X):
The classic musical Aladdin features an opulent tapestry of Arabic culture, which flourished along the streets of Agrabah. Princess Jasmine desires a prince of a noble and pure heart, but instead finds Aladdin, a commoner who falls in love with her. To win her over, Aladdin ventures into the hidden ‘Cave of Wonders’ and finds a lamp, realizing its magic as a genie appears to fulfill any three of his wishes. Aladdin wishes to be a prince to impress princess Jasmine, but instead makes her resent him due to his self-centered glamour encouraged by the genie.
Passionate Cottonians
The passionate junior and middle school students executed the dance sequence ‘A Whole New World’ with great zeal and ebullience, along with super costumes and sets. The choir had rehearsed the catchy songs for the show for weeks on end and were note perfect, with junior soloists singing beautifully.
Aladdin, the protagonist, is captured by Jaffar’s trickery due to Jaffar’s desire for power. Aladdin, through his wits, commands the genie his second wish to be free from Jaffar’s captivity and miraculously frees himself to fight Jaffar and save his beloved princess Jasmine and the Sultan by trapping Jaffar inside the lamp. At the end, Aladdin realizes the importance of honesty and sets the genie free; using his last wish, he informs the princess of his lowly status. However, Jasmine, overcome by his honesty and care for her, decides to marry him, which marks the beginning of a happily ever-after.