Review: Outwood Academy Newbold students perform Our Day Out

Five months’ hard work culminated in an entertaining presentation of Our Day Out, directed by teacher Sara Smith with help from student Katy Livsey.

Willy Russell’s comedy is the perfect vehicle for young actors as it revolves around a group of unruly kids let out of school for a day trip. They get into all sorts of scrapes, from sneaking a crafty fag on the bus to stealing animals from a zoo.

The production flags up the contrasting methods which their teachers employ to handle the situations and make the audience ponder which route is best.

Mollie Davies scored high marks in her role as Mrs Kay whose modern approach to her students was to give them a free rein to do their own thing.

Tremayne Boulton took the gold star as the stern, old-school disciplinarian Mr Briggs who saved the day by saving a life.

First-class characterisation came from Lucy Dent in the role of troubled student Carol whose confidence ebbed away to put her on the brink of suicide.

Projected images provided the backdrop to the action in a show which ran like a dream at its opening performance last night (Wednesday, March 23).

Our Day Out has its second outing at the academy this evening at 7pm.