Wycombe Abbey School Musical 2026: ‘Guys and Dolls’
25 March 2026 - Performing Arts
Last weekend, fifty pupils took to the Lancaster Arts Centre stage to perform the much-anticipated 2026 School Musical, ‘Guys and Dolls’.
On entering the auditorium, it was immediately clear the audience were in for something special. The stage had been transformed into an atmospheric New York street scene, brought even more vividly to life as the live orchestral band, featuring seven Wycombe Abbey pupils, struck up the opening overture.
From the moment the first actor stepped on stage, the audience was captivated. The cast brilliantly evoked the energy of bustling New York, complete with gangsters, policemen, dancing girls, tourists and an array of wonderfully eccentric (and occasionally unsavoury!) characters weaving across the stage.
The singing and choreography were outstanding throughout. Just when you thought the last song couldn’t be topped, it was soon followed up by an even more memorable number. ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘A Bushel and a Peck’, ‘Luck be a Lady’ and ‘Sit Down, you’re Rocking the Boat’ were absolute showstoppers, but the lesser‑known pieces also made a huge impact. I found myself humming ‘I’ll Know’, ‘Marry the Man’ and ‘Oldest Established’ for days after seeing the production… for the second time!
Each actor delivered a memorable performance, bringing every character, whether a lead role, a passer-by or a newspaper seller, to life with authenticity and enthusiasm. It truly felt as though the cast had stepped into the streets of New York themselves.
It was an extraordinary production, and the buzz from audiences continued well into the School week following the performances. The only lingering question is: how will the Music and Drama departments top this next time?
Mr James Harrington
Director of Drama
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