“Magical” Upper School show wins praise
28th December 24
KAS students brought the house down at Finchley’s Arts Depot in later November with this year’s Upper School show, The Ballad of Raggedy Alice.
Performed over two nights, the original musical was penned by our very own Head of Drama, Rob Messick, with a score by our former Head of Music, Roy Raby.
The show told the tale of Alice, a girl who longs to be on one of five lucky villagers selected every year to sail to paradise. It explored themes of parent-pleasing, contentment (or lack thereof), and being careful what we wish for – with the ghoulish help of some singing corpses, an assortment of body parts and a giant spider.
The show’s titular role was played by Tabitha N-L (Year 12), who called the experience “magical”.
“I feel very lucky to have been a part of the making of The Ballad of Raggedy Alice. I’d never had the privilege of creating something from scratch before, but finding those hidden quirks behind the lines was an unforgettable experience.
“There was so much trust and freedom in the project from all angles. For me as a performer, creating what I felt like Alice was made of – perseverance, fragility, humanity, and desire – gave me the chance to open up and find myself within those moments, which is all an actress could ever dream of.”
Of pulling off the show in just 10 short weeks, writer Rob said: “Our performers, tasked with the insane job of learning a completely original musical from scratch, have been nothing short of heroic in their effort. And then there’s the band and the stage crew – all incredible artists.
“It’s quite exceptional to be a part of The King Alfred School, where creative exploration is so actively encouraged.”
Composer Roy added: “Working with Rob, and reconnecting with my former colleagues at KAS, has been a genuine joy.
“King Alfred is a unique institution, celebrating individuality, fostering curiosity, and providing a supportive space where students can freely explore their creativity. The spirit shines through in the remarkable students who have brought The Ballad of Raggedy Alice to life.
“I feel deeply grateful to have been part of this project and to witness this creativity, dedication, and talent of everyone involved.”
The show went down a storm across the KAS community, with Deputy Head Al McConville praising it as “Camus meets Aesop meets Lloyd-Weber meets Python. Macabre, hilarious, profound, existential. A tremendous achievement, and KAS at its best.”
Meanwhile, Head Teacher Robert Lobatto said: “It was a phenomenal evening, full of passion, creativity and artistry, that showcased the immense talent of our senior students.”
Well done to all involved!
See more from The Ballad of Raggedy Alice in the gallery below. You can see more content from the students involved on the King Alfred UAL Instagram page.
