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18/03/24

Only 48 hours to go - don't be a drop out - get your tickets now! https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/SZp2YCnn2a— Valley Park School () March 18, 2024

17/03/24

We need good condition school uniform donations for SHUSH, our second hand uniform shop. In particular we're looking for skirts, blazers, jumpers, ties, and any new Year 7 uniform. Please bring your items to reception between 9am and 4pm. https://t.co/qWdK4N0QS0 pic.twitter.com/7ZdO2CgnjS— Valley Park School () March 17, 2024

15/03/24

Today a group of Dance and PA students went to Move It at the London Excel. A day packed with college and career conversations, pop-up performances and even support for former Valley Park students on the big stage. A proud day! pic.twitter.com/9304cpyJRW— Valley Park School () March 15, 2024

15/03/24

Tell me more, tell me more, did your tickets get booked? https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/2iOHYX10YW— Valley Park School () March 15, 2024

14/03/24

On Sat, Year 8 student, Amy, competed at the British Schools Championships for Judo where she represented Valley Park. Amy fought really well against a tough group and came away with a fantastic bronze medal. Well done, Amy! pic.twitter.com/hLv58vWGIW— Valley Park School () March 14, 2024

13/03/24

Only 1 week until Grease the Musical - don't miss out. Get your tickets here: https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/myoHG3JaDR— Valley Park School () March 13, 2024

11/03/24

Why, this show is automatic, it's systematic, it's hydromatic! Go, go go, get your tickets now! https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/ahYvcivtr9— Valley Park School () March 11, 2024

10/03/24

Valley Park + Grease The Musical - We go together, and that's the way it should be! https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/hcUhN7KvJr— Valley Park School () March 10, 2024

09/03/24

Year 11s: Time is running out to buy your leaver's hoodie! The shop closes on 11 March. Refer to the letter sent home for login details. https://t.co/cdMkhzBTvG#wearevalleypark pic.twitter.com/MJd05xwBrf— Valley Park School () March 9, 2024

08/03/24

Key Stage 3, how will you spend your free book voucher from World Book Day? pic.twitter.com/VsGFOlkmW3— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

pic.twitter.com/AExD66bBGk— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

Happy International Women's Day!We're celebrating women who have changed the world. Here's all of the amazing women who have received the and their remarkable achievements at the time of the award.Who are the women who inspire you the most?#IWD2024 pic.twitter.com/yZXLi5zYJh— The Nobel Prize () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

Wearing purple for International Women’s Day! pic.twitter.com/G7URtKlQ8C— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

08/03/24

You're the one that we want - have you got your tickets for Grease the Musical? https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/cqjm25i2ix— Valley Park School () March 8, 2024

07/03/24

For , teachers chose passages from their beloved childhood books and narrated them in the style of the classic children's show, Jackanory: https://t.co/WzVRcyM1qu pic.twitter.com/oaoW6uetER— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

An international author has recorded a video message for our students to celebrate and - Read our news article here: https://t.co/rpz5ckqgtH pic.twitter.com/JU4EkfalC4— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

World Book Day double-act fun with today! pic.twitter.com/q28WKIGPWw— Gianna Pollero () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

is a celebration of reading for pleasure.Our mission is to change lives through a love of books and reading.We want to know how you're encouraging children to - show us with the hashtag! pic.twitter.com/mhEl4k3I00— World Book Day UK 📚 () March 6, 2024

07/03/24

- For Parents and Families: If you want some new book ideas - why don't you try Wheeler's ePlatform, or some of the suggestions from the eBook and audiobook providers below? pic.twitter.com/bjEH7EvTSi— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

Year 12 Performing Art students performing numbers from musicals based on books including Matilda, Hamilton, and a few Disney classics, to celebrate pic.twitter.com/Bzl8V6VNmO— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

It’s !🥳We’re putting children’s voices first. They’re asking us to let go of pressure & expectations to give them a choice – and a chance – to grow up with the life-changing benefits of . Show us how you're reading for fun, your way! pic.twitter.com/JiCQDHPw2S— World Book Day UK 📚 () March 7, 2024

07/03/24

It's ! Which events will you take part in today to celebrate? pic.twitter.com/gmVYRjSWvL— Valley Park School () March 7, 2024

06/03/24

Fifteen of our A Level Religious Studies students attended a conference in London last Friday, led by the philosopher Peter Vardy. Read more: https://t.co/h8ysLfktRW pic.twitter.com/JjeyDHmz7C— Valley Park School () March 6, 2024

06/03/24

Only 2 weeks until Grease the Musical - don't miss out. Get your tickets here: https://t.co/Di6a9JQiGS pic.twitter.com/Hs3eNI6ZoT— Valley Park School () March 6, 2024

Betty Blue Eyes

Valley Park Productions put on a pig of a show in July 2015. We asked two of the cast how they prepared for their roles...

Josephine Biggs: 'Mother Dear'

'The story revolves around Joyce and her husband Gilbert, who've recently moved to Shepardsford, but haven't found the popularity or fortune Joyce is looking for. Gilbert is 'only' a chiropodist without his own shop, so he can't 'roll in and declare victory' as Joyce is hoping.'

'After being refused the sale of an empty shop on the parade by the villainous men on the council, the chances of Joyce and Gilbert ever being made into respected members of the village is beginning to look unlikely.'

'In revenge, Joyce and Gilbert steal a pig which is intended to be eaten at a private function in celebration of the wedding of Princess Elizabeth to Prince Phillip.'

'Stealing the pig is difficult, but it's made even harder by the merciless Meat Inspector Wormold, who's on the prowl for anyone who has anything to do with the sale or consumption of illegal meat.'

'To make this near impossible feat worse, Mother Dear has no idea what to say and what not to say, which makes keeping the pig a secret even more difficult.'

'I performed the part of Mother Dear, the old and cantankerous mother of Joyce. I particularly loved to play this part as she was such a complicated person to play.'

'On the first night my slipper accidentally came off. I just picked it up, grunted, looked at the audience, back at the shoe, then shoved it back on again. The audience found it funny, whereas I was just thankful no one realised I'd tripped!' 

'At the start, I had trouble trying to figure out the correct posture for a woman of 74, but Mr Gleadall gave a demonstration which helped enormously.'

'With the assistance of Maisie Barden, who applied my wrinkles each night, and the make-up girls who sprayed my hair grey, I really did look the part! '

'I came home looking like a back-up dancer from the ‘Thriller’ music video, but it was so effective when I was onstage.'

'Undoubtedly my favourite scene was 'Pig, no pig'. All the players in this scene were completely reliant on each other to carry the song. This made it so much more effective for the audience. '

'When I first heard it, I was worried that I'd never be able to remember it. As it happened, the problem was not remembering it, but trying to get it out of our heads. By the time show week arrived we were at the point of singing it in our sleep!'

'I was quite disappointed when we couldn't use the real Betty, but I feel it would have made things a lot more difficult, trying to steer her around the stage and it would have been too much for her.'

'Overall, I'd say Betty has been my favourite show so far. After 5 months of rehearsing together, the whole cast became one big family. Standing on the stage with so many brilliant young actors and actresses, this whole experience has been an achievement for us all.'

Ben Anderton: 'Gilbert Chilvers'

'I played Gilbert Chilvers, a kind hearted man with an ambition to have his own surgery on the parade. Playing Gilbert required me to soften up like his character as he was always being pushed around by his wife and the town council.'

'When our director, Mr Gleadall, explained Gilbert's background and experience to me, I began to feel for him as a character. In my previous show, 'Miss Saigon', I played a Vietnamese General. He was a violent, mean person, so transitioning to a character like Gilbert was really interesting.'

'In preparation for the show, I often went to the farm to spend time with Betty and Hetty, our farm pigs, so they could get used to me, and I to them. This is so when it came to the show nights they wouldn't panic on stage.'

'During the song, 'The Kind of Man I am', I was required to hold a knife to Betty. She had to stay very still as this was the part of the show which required me to 'kill' her. I was afraid she would panic as I would be holding a sharp object at her! Sadly, we weren’t able to use Betty for the real show, but it would’ve been a great experience performing with a live animal!'

'When Haydn Oakley came to Valley Park to help prepare us for the show,  (see last issue) he had a session with Cathy Butler (Joyce), Josie Biggs (Mother Dear) and myself.'

'The song we chose for him to help us with was 'Pig, no pig'. Haydn gave us lots of tips to help us develop this hilarious scene, as he had performed the show in the West End.'

'What I really loved about the show was the songs. I think everyone who watched or was in this show would agree that you would get at least one song stuck in your head, especially 'Betty Blue Eyes'.

'The rehearsal for this song was hilarious and there was no one else I would rather work with on that song than Sam Murray (Mr. Allardyce). It was a great song and really catchy as were most of the songs in the show!'

Betty the Pig