Theatre-goers battled through arctic conditions last night to give the warmest of receptions to a brand new musical called “Pandora”, composed, written and directed by two Colchester Royal Grammar School students.  James Bowstead and Oliver Wood created the piece as an Extended Project Qualification during their final year in the sixth form.  James, who has recently been awarded an organ scholarship to Oxford, composed and orchestrated the score, musically directing the entire piece from the piano.  Oliver took on the demanding task of producer, as well as designing and building the set, playing in the band and singing a solo on stage.

Millie Binks as Pandora

Set in Ancient Greece against the impressive backdrop of a Greek temple, the musical tells the story of Pandora, created at Zeus’ behest, to bring punishment on the human race. Lured by trickery to open the box given her as a wedding gift by Zeus, Pandora, played by Millie Binks, unleashes the horrors of the world on mankind.  All that is left is Hope, secretly hidden in the box by the goddess Hera, played by Jemima Paine to redeem the evils planted there by her petulant husband Zeus, played by Gabriel Bambridge.

The performance received a standing ovation and was an outstanding success. Congratulations to all involved. It was a great team effort.