KGS students to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Smike with a private showcase performance

KGS students to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Smike with a private showcase performance at Michael Frayn Theatre, Kingston Grammar School.  

On Wednesday 5th July, Kingston Grammar School will celebrate the 50th anniversary of Smike, the musical created at KGS and first performed at the Surbiton Assembly Rooms in 1973. 

 
Smike was written by two young KGS teachers: Simon May and Clive Barnett, along with songwriter Roger Holman. Adapted from Charles Dickens’ 1839 novel Nicholas Nickleby, the pop musical is set in the 20th century and features flashbacks and comparisons between a classroom scene in both the Victorian times and the 1970s. The production took place in Simon May’s final year teaching at KGS before he left to pursue a further career in music, going on to write the notable theme tunes for EastEnders and Howards’ Way.  

The original performance in 1973 was a smash hit and included a quarter of KGS students, some crediting it with inspiring their future creative careers.  

Following the popularity of the show, Simon May was contacted by the BBC who went on to televise the play. It was then re-imagined in 2005 for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to KGS to open the Michael Frayn Theatre.  

KGS alumni, the original cast, crew and staff from both the 1973 performance and the 2005 revival will be attending to watch the current First Year students perform songs and narrate the story from the original musical in a special showcase.  

Throughout the evening, performers will relive the drama of the story and bring the music of Smike to a new audience, continuing the legacy of the musical. 

Sarah Humphrey, Deputy Head, comments, “I am so excited to see this production in the school where it all started. Congratulations to everyone on the 50th anniversary of such a seminal performance! We are delighted to have so many of the original cast and crew back with us to celebrate this fantastic show.” 

Simon May says: “Fifty years ago, Smike enjoyed its premiere at Surbiton Assembly Rooms before BBC TV mounted a major Christmas production with the original KGS cast in 1974.  

Since then, the show has been performed thousands of times in the UK and overseas. It has become a mini classic and favourite of many schools and amateur dramatic societies as well as launching my career in the music and television industry, for which I will always be so grateful. Thank you, KGS, for helping bring the ‘doof doof’ into my life for the past fifty years!” 
 

Please note: This performance is only for current KGS students, staff and alumni. Tickets are not available for the general public. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Mrs Thea Phillips, Head of Marketing 

Kingston Grammar School 

[email protected]