Comedic yet emotional, an influential performance.
We cannot wait to share our latest production with you. Join us as we present the 1997 play 'Be My Baby', written by playwright Amanda Whittington. This is a moving and emotional play, interspersed with some fantastic 'girl-group' music by The Shangri-Las, The Dixie Cups and The Ronettes, which perfectly captures the era and the innocence of the play's characters.
It's 1964 but the sixties aren't swinging for Mary Adams: 19-years-old, unmarried, and pregnant. She is sent in secrecy and shame to St Saviours, a Church of England mother-and-baby home run by a formidable Matron. Mary is set to work in the laundry and shares a room with the tough-talking Queenie. The girls bond over a love of girl-group records, which entertain, console and inspire as the birth of their babies approaches. When Mary finds she is expected to give up her child for adoption, she begins a desperate fight to keep her baby.
Performances take place in the Senior School Hall on the following dates:
Wednesday 8th February at 7pm
Thursday 9th February at 7pm
Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 for concessions (under 18s and over 60s).
Please be aware, this production is only suitable for ages 11 and above.
It will make you cry but laugh at the same time.
Performing on Wednesday 8th February will be:
Marni as Mary
Charlie as Dolores
Gracie as Queenie
Lily as Norma
Amalie as Matron
Emma as Mrs Adams
Tanya as Betty
Performing on Thursday 9th February will be:
Marni as Mary
Lili as Dolores
Raphi as Queenie
Elizabeth as Norma
Lucy as Matron
Emma as Mrs Adams
Tanya as Betty
This experience has enabled me to be more confident in myself.
Gracie
Meet the cast
Marni has taken part in every school production since Year 8! She was obviously destined for acting glory after her first role as a dog in her Year 4 play! Marni has played a variety of roles in our school productions, from a nun in ‘Sister Act’ to her most recent role as the bonkers Mrs Wormwood in ‘Matilda’. Marni is currently working towards her Grade 8 LAMDA qualification and achieved a Grade 9 at Drama GCSE.
Charlie is an avid GCSE Drama student from Year 11 and appeared in our school production of ‘Matilda’ last year playing the role of Lavender. Charlie has also participated in LAMDA lessons and gained a Grade 4 qualification.
Gracie is a GCSE drama student who has taken part in our two most recent school productions, ‘Red Red Shoes’ and ‘Matilda’. Gracie is working towards her Grade 6 LAMDA qualification and performed a short excerpt of ‘Be my baby’ in our cabaret evenings last December. Gracie has taken singing lessons for three years and has auditioned for professional musical performances such as ‘Legally Blonde the musical’.
Lilly is currently studying GCSE drama and was in the school production of ‘Matilda’ last year. For 7 years, Lilly studied drama, dance and singing at Stagecoach Chester and whilst there, was part of many productions, for example; ‘The Wiz’, ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Pirates of Penzance’. Lilly has also taken part in the professional production of ‘Joseph and his technicolour dream coat.’
Amelie is working towards her Grade 7 LAMDA award and has recently performed in the school production of ‘Matilda’. She has been a student at Stagecoach Chester for almost a year and recently performed in their production of ‘Shrek, The Musical’. Amelie really enjoys performing and becoming part of a team, when working on a production.
Emma is a GCSE drama student who is currently working towards her Grade 6 LAMDA qualification and appeared in ‘Matilda’, our school musical last year. Emma has previously been a member of Stagecoach Chester and is very passionate about drama and the arts. Emma has had singing lessons with Mrs Clayton and is a member of our senior choir. She recently performed with them in our cabaret evenings in December 2022.
Tanya really enjoys performing. She is currently working on her Grade 5 LAMDA qualification. In addition to this, she has been doing musical theatre outside of school since 2019, and last year joined our school production of ‘Matilda’. Tanya’s hidden talent is that she also enjoys carnatic singing. This is vocal music that is the classical music of Southern India.
This is Raphaela’s first time acting in a school production. Despite not doing Drama GCSE or A-level, Raphaela has completed all her LAMDA qualifications, achieving a distinction in her Grade 8 last year. Raphaela was also a stage manager for our school production of ‘Matilda’ last year (and technically did appear on stage, albeit hidden under a table for one particular magic trick!) Raphaela is a member of our school chamber choir and has performed at the cathedral and in various cabarets and concerts. She is very excited to be taking part in the play, as Queenie.
Lili is an avid fan of drama and music. She is currently taking A-level music and took GCSE music and drama. Lili has been in every play and production since joining the school in Year 7! She has completed her Grade 6 French Horn and is working towards her Grade 7 qualification. Lili is also busy working towards her Grade 5 singing in the Easter Term.
Elizabeth is studying GCSE Drama and is currently in Year 10. She enjoyed being in our school production of ‘Matilda’ last year and has been in previous productions at other schools, showing her love of theatre. Elizabeth used to play the violin for three years and has performed in several local concerts with schools. Playing Norma in ‘Be My Baby’ is her first big role in a school production.
This is Lucy’s first production at The Queen’s School, since joining in September. She is a drama GCSE student and enjoys rapping in her free time. Previously she has completed some LAMDA qualifications and has performed for local theatre companies.
I loved being part of the production.