Art imitates life at Manchester Academy!

Students have been working flat out on a musical for the last six months to bring a touch of star quality to Moss Side.

Set in the fictional Moss High School, the musical mimics the story of Manchester Academy and is a real celebration of just how far the academy, which was recently graded outstanding by Ofsted has come since it opened in 2004.

The musical starts off five years ago (the very time Manchester Academy took over a school that was at the bottom of all performance tables) with a rendition of Pink Floyd’s ‘Another Brick in the Wall’. The feeling of hopelessness and disaffection is palpable. Just as palpable, however is the determination of the Head Teacher played by Menka Hibbert, a Year 10 student who struts on to the stage to deliver the exact same words that our very own Mrs August used five years ago: ‘No excuses!’ Menka said “Playing this part has been amazing. It’s an honour to be cast in a part that so rightly sums up our own Principal, Mrs August. She has made this school what it is just like my character Mrs Wilson does in Moss High Musical."

The play, written and directed by the talented Mrs Langley tells how one girl’s dream and one woman’s determination to make it happen, inspire a whole school to work together to achieve their ambitions. This musical is sad, clever and witty but above all, it sends a very clear message: with hard work and a lot of guts things can get done, things can change.

The musical ends with a wonderful performance of Abba’s ‘I have a dream’ and this time the stuff of dreams really does come true. The performance is professional and slick. It hits hard and the audience is literally, as Sir Elton John’s song goes 'still standing' as the final lights go down. This may be in Moss Side but it’s West End material.

Shamyra Abbot the leading lady said “This is the first time I’ve ever been involved in something so big. It’s like a dream, I feel like a real actress” and the rest of the cast shout back, “You are!”