The Bermuda High School for Girls' annual drama production for 2009 was unlike any other. It was called La Vie, which means "Life," and you can be sure that the play was full of it.

With gymnasts flying and flipping through the air, usually sedate teachers fighting a 'lion', pupils twirling and throwing the Diablos like professionals as well as group juggling acts, it thrilled the audience, both young and old alike. Roughly 75 students from Years 7 to IB2 came together with the staff to produce a play inspired by the famous Cirque du Soleil.

Teachers and students have been formulating and rehearsing the production since late last term, with Saturday and Sunday rehearsals as opening night drew near. All music, lyrics, scripts and set design were original. It was a labour of love from the Head of Drama, Mrs Jane Thorpe, the Head of Music, Ms Emma Cowell, and a vision that transformed the school hall to resemble the interior of a circus tent from Mrs Fiona Lewis, our part-time but extraordinary Art teacher.

Choreography for the numerous dances was arranged by our dance teacher. The narrative was a series of flashbacks from the year that an old woman had seen the circus as a young child. It comes back to her as she re-visits the circus with her granddaughter. Upon entering the circus tent — the walls and ceiling had been veiled in swathes of orange and yellow sheeting — the audience was welcomed with the overture performed by the all-student orchestra. The mysterious mood was quickly established with music in the minor key and taiko drumming to quicken the pace.

A small chorus added to the suspense with their siren-like singing and the recurring line, "The circus is coming!"

This reviewer is of the opinion that the play was actually better with the absence of a lot of dialogue; much of the silence was filled with music enhancing the entertaining effects. One amazing act followed another with seamless scene changes.

Make-up and painted faces, under the watchful eye of Mr. Gordon Emerson, transformed BHS pupils into magical and enchanting circus performers. Credit must also be given to the costume choices and all the IB1 students who took charge of the technical side of the production. It was an incredible two hours. For those who missed it, excerpts from the production will be performed at the up-coming "Spring into the Arts" at the Ruth Seaton James Centre towards the end of April. La Vie was definitely a performance full of life.