We all adore the age-old tale of two star-crossed lovers – even more so when it involves singing along to some of our favourite ballads – but what makes this piece resonate with audiences year after year? Although many of us may know the plot of West Side Story, and all of us will know Romeo and Juliet, this show never ceases to capture our hearts and imaginations and take us on an emotional rollercoaster where we nonetheless hope for a different ending. The performance was such fun, moving me to tears and making me laugh out loud as the Jets and the Sharks laugh and joke, their naivety leaving a bitter sweet taste in the mouth. I felt proud to be from the Midlands as I watched this group of young performers take to the stage and sing their hearts out to an audience of almost two-thousand people with such skill and confidence.
Alex Cook, only 16 years of age, was outstanding as Tony, and his performance of ‘Maria’ made the hairs stand up on the back of my neck; how someone who has just finished their GCSEs can sing with such tenderness and control was breath-taking. Aside from a couple of clunky scene changes and the orchestra sometimes overpowering the vocalists, the show was flawless and full of grit. Such a universal story brought to life by these fantastic young performers was such a joy to experience, and I am certain that they will go on to do even bigger and better things as they grow and continue to perform.
Despite young love being the driving force of the show, West Side Story is in fact a rather disheartening musical, as I couldn’t help but think how little has really changed since it was first made. With the rise in xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric from the likes of Donald Trump, the world appears to be fast becoming a less welcoming place. Despite all the so-called progress we have made, racism, prejudice and imagined superiority still play a huge part in our society, with the rise in hate crimes since President Trump’s election and the widening of the rich-poor divide, these inequalities are a stark reminder of our inability to learn from our mistakes.
Aurora Speaking 