The Expressive Arts showcase, held on June 9 at the Radlett Centre, was nothing short of spectacular, demonstrating the immense talent and hard work of the students across the Arts. The afternoon opened with a lively ABBA medley by the Senior Choir, whose infectious excitement set a high bar for the rest of the show. Ms Bird aptly noted, “the choir ate and left no crumbs.”

The drama segments of 'Alice in Wonderland,' 'Star Wars,' and 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' added a delightful mix of humour and creativity with The Queen of Hearts delivering several hilarious moments. The Physical Theatre Ensemble's 'Bloodstream' was a powerful interpretation of movement and emotion, while The Drama Ensemble’s rendition of AC/DC added a rock-and-roll edge to the performance.

The Senior and Junior Dance Companies gave incredible performances. The 'Beyoncé vs Rihanna' dance-off showcased high energy and fierce choreography, while 'Old Yellow Brick Roads' and 'Good Luck' were a mesmerising compilation of precision and expression. Y7 student, Harrison, captured the sentiment of many performers, saying, “It’s a really nice way to express ourselves. It’s exciting but nerve-wracking to perform to so many people”. Sophia's solo performance of 'Paint It Black' was hauntingly beautiful, demonstrating her exceptional talent.

St Margaret’s first acapella group ‘The Decibels’ delivered a captivating performance with their ‘Pitch Perfect’ medley. Each member brought their unique voice which created ‘pitch-perfect’ harmonies. The enjoyment and support for this acapella group was apparent all around, with teachers seen to be wearing their signature bows. Mr Redfern proudly declared that he was their 'biggest fan'. The energy and enthusiasm radiated from the stage clearly showing how much they enjoyed every moment of the performance.

The Boomwacker Ensemble’s renditions of 'Ode to Joy' and 'Star Wars' were innovative and entertaining. The Single Reed Ensemble’s 'Wellerman' was superb and the Woodwind Trio’s 'My Neighbour Totoro' arranged by Aiden Bok was incredibly well-executed.

The grand finale, a medley from 'Les Misérables,' including 'ABC Café,' 'Do You Hear the People Sing,' and an encore of 'One Day More,' left the audience in awe. This powerful performance showcased the collective talent and hard work of the entire group, making it an emotional moment for the cast as it was their final time performing these songs together. Y10 pupil, Charles, expressed his enthusiasm, saying “The event today was a brilliant experience for all involved, and I’m really looking forward to doing more shows here again!”

An art exhibition outside the auditorium displayed a range of impressive sculptures, paintings, and photography, adding an extra dimension to the evening’s celebration of the arts.

As a whole, the showcase was an unforgettable afternoon of talent and creativity. As Nicola Bonn said, “The talent, the way everyone has worked together, the attitude has been incredible and I am blown away by the performances.” This event not only highlighted the students' skills, but also their ability to work together to create something truly special.

Words by Iman and Theo