A prophetic tale captivated audiences at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange, when students from a WNAT school staged a production of playwright Eve Leigh’s latest drama.

Eighteen students from Years 9 to 11 at St Clement’s High School took part in Wildfire, which tells the story of passengers on a hijacked plane that is redirected to Siberia, thus saving their lives when the rest of the planet is engulfed in flames.

Performing as the One Act Theatre Company, the group previously brought the play to the stage at the Nottingham Playhouse, as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.

The school’s Head of Drama, Carl Schwarz, directed the production, with student Emmie Pike-Fysh as Assistant Director.

“We aim to produce a new and unique play every year,” he explained. “This play, as with most previous years, is a brand new play, created by an established playwright. It is commissioned by the National Theatre and is part of the National Theatre Connections Festival, which is a festival that takes place across the UK, where theatre companies, schools and colleges apply to be selected for the festival.

“The successful applicants have the opportunity to be the first group ever to put a professional theatre play on the stage. It’s as close to being a professional actor as students can get.

“The students always love the experience of being part of a company and form really close bonds along the journey.”

Cast members included Mia Charles as pilot Naomi; Shai McGurk as Ruby; Sam Tennant as Dave; Darcie Butters as Rohan; Henry Wood as Kazuo; Libby Clayton as Bryn; and Evie Neill as Mariella.

Chloe Baker and Daisy Clarke took the roles of flight attendants Rina and Ema; while the hijackers were played by Amelia King, Saoirse Greehy, and Poppy Foster; and the remaining passengers were Elsa Robinson, Emily Swinburn, Emily Chapman, Camille Nguyen, and Amber Hasnip.

Mr Schwarz continued: “The play is metaphorical, prophetic, and a tale for the most important question of our times – are we going to wake up and address the climate emergency before it’s too late?

“The performance has some great physical theatre elements running through it, which help to convey both the mood/fear of the passengers, but also some of the key themes within the play. There are moments of panic, humour, love, and hope. It is a play that explores the human condition.”

Other members of staff at St Clement’s were also involved, with Head of Art Phil Bennell designing the promotional material, and Head of Design and Technology Craig Falco creating the set.

Mr Schwarz added: “At St Clement’s, our aim is to provide our young performers with the best opportunities we can.

“Giving them the chance to perform a newly commissioned play by the National Theatre, in amazing venues like the Nottingham Playhouse and the Corn Exchange, is an experience they will remember for a long time.”