Bedales students take on new musical

An innovative new musical, written by the award-winning songwriter and composer behind the EastEnders theme tune, is set to be performed at Bedales School in Hampshire in June as part of a creative collaboration. 

Rehearsals for the production are in full swing as students from Years 6-12 at Bedales Prep and Senior schools prepare to perform Rick in June.

Written by Simon May, who is best known for writing the music that has top-and-tailed the BBC soap opera EastEnders for nearly four decades, Rick explores themes such as neurodiversity, self-confidence, and resilience. 

It tells the story of a young boy, Rick, who walks out of his lead role in a school production after being teased by his fellow cast members. Locking himself in his room, he falls into a deep sleep and – in a plot twist inspired by the classic American folk story, Rip Van Winkle – doesn’t wake up for 100 years. As he adjusts to life in the 22nd century, Rick learns to embrace his unique abilities and develops the confidence to return and successfully perform in his school production. 

Having built a successful career as a teacher and composer writing music for television, Rick is Simon’s second foray into musical theatre. It follows Smike, a lively rendition of Charles Dickens’ celebrated novel Nicholas Nickleby, which has been performed thousands of times in the UK and overseas and was adapted for television by the BBC in 1973. 

In an unprecedented move for licensed musicals performed by schools, Simon has given Bedales the freedom to adapt Rick for the stage. Bedales Senior’s Head of Drama, Hayley Cole, is leading the project for a joint Senior and Prep school production that celebrates the School’s strengths in creativity and innovation in the arts. 

With a creative team that includes Bedales Prep’s Director of Music, Matt Blunt, Head of Drama, Simon Kingsley-Pallant, Bedales Senior’s Head of Dance, Liz Wood, and Theatre Manager, Joanne Greenwood, Hayley has adapted Rick to fit the artistic vision of the Bedales community. This collaborative effort not only brings Simon’s work to life but also gives Bedales students exciting, hands-on experience in a workshop musical theatre production. 

As momentum builds around the project, Bedales’ workshop adaptation of Rick is set to be showcased to a live audience of agents, theatres, and schools with two ‘scratch’ performances. Simon, impressed by the talent and commitment of the Bedales cast, musicians, and technicians, is looking forward to seeing the culmination of the project on stage in June. 

Head of Drama Hayley Cole commented: “Collaborating with Simon May on Rick has been an incredible journey for Bedales students, offering them the chance to develop and perform a scratch musical from the ground up. This unique project has fostered leadership, creativity, and a sense of community across our Prep and Senior schools, showcasing the talent and enthusiasm of our students. We’re excited to see where these performances will take the musical next and hope they inspire further development and success.” 

Simon May added: “The enthusiasm and creativity of the students have been truly inspiring, and I am excited to see how this workshop production will shape the future of Rick. I am grateful for the incredible effort from the entire Bedales team and thrilled to see where this journey will take us next.” 

Rick will be performed at Bedales Olivier Theatre on 27-28 June 2024, 7.30pm. The production is open to all. Book free tickets here.