Culture at Bexhill High

These were the sound effects greeting me as I awaited a new version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. And what a version it was!

Under the creative direction of the clearly talented Adam and Stephanie Hepkin, the very best of Bexhill’s youngsters was brought out and showed their true class as they remoulded this Shakesperian classic.

For this was Macbeth set to music, and very cleverly it was done, too. It kept with the pagan Celtic tradition, whilst merging with the latest sounds familiar of West End musical numbers today, in a Eurovisionary “Riverdance” style.

Two particularly outstanding songs were “Double Double, Boil and Trouble” sung by a team of talented girls as the witches, and the patriotic Scottish finale rousing number, which reminded me of Les Miserables.

We were, in fact, spellbound throughout. It seemed the production had only just begun when Luke Willard’s dramatic death as Banquo brought to an end Act One. His re-emergence all in white as Banquo’s ghost in Act Two was equally dramatic, if not bordering scary.

Other notable performances were Andy Sellers and Michelle Mungeni as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, whilst in the comical department Max Phillips stood out as a drunken porter bringing the play into the new millennium with jokes about our political leaders and the coalition government.

It had to be seen to be believed! Visionary! Amazing! Incredible! And Bexhill has a wonderful new theatre performing space.

My first visit to the new school, with a bagpiper on the door, will be one I will never forget. With two new future “Hepkin” productions in the offing next term I urge everyone to come and witness it for themselves. Culture at the De La Warr? We certainly have it at Bexhill High.

TIM HAMPTON

St James Crescent

Bexhill-on-Sea