THE AMPHITHEATRE acquired by Droitwich Spa High School for drama lessons and to bring more outdoor theatre to the town should be completed in the couple of few weeks.
The Standard reported exclusively last summer that, after Henley-in-Arden School no longer had any use for the structure and was giving it away for free, Droitwich Spa High had agreed to take it.
Part of the agreement was that Droitwich Spa High would dismantle, transport it and rebuild it, but that proved more of a problem than first thought.
The structure, which seats 150 people, weighs several tonnes but, thanks to a massive effort from staff, parents and Pride Air Conditioning, a local firm ran by one of the parents, it was dismantled piece by piece and transported to the school’s grounds.
Because the drawings did not include the roof supports, putting the project on hold throughout the winter months.
Then by Easter the end was in sight after more than 30 days of volunteer time during the fortnight holiday.
The steel structure was finished and work on the surrounding area began to ensure the amphitheatre had the right atmosphere for those itching to perform there.
Wooden seating was needed and that led to the school’s deputy head Jon Brook entering a competition on Absolute Radio, in conjunction with Wickes and rock band Kasabian. The lucky winner have their building completed and Kasabian perform live to officially open it.
The school was chosen and Mr Brook went on Christian O’Connell’s breakfast show to put forward Droitwich Spa High School’s case.
Christian and his co-presenters were sufficiently convinced and put the school through to the final.
The four finalists were given just one day to write a pitch for their project, set to a Kasabian song.
The best musicians in years nine and 11 joined forces with the more creative staff and created their own version of the band’s hit Fire, extolling the project’s virtues.
The school listened in with fingers crossed as Mr Brook went back on the air but the school lost out to Burntmills Academy in Essex which was deemed to have the better case.
The school was left disappointed but then Mr Brook received a text message asking him to go back on the breakfast show.
Absolute Radio’s breakfast crew had been so impressed with the Droitwich effort they said the school deserved a consolation prize and announced Wickes would pay for all the decking needed and volunteers would be organised and dispatched to fit it.
One of the show’s presenters will also be heading to Droitwich to formally open the new amphitheatre.
A spokesperson for the school said: “The students can have faith in the staff once more and the school will have an excellent new resource.”
