Understanding Archie - Review

What would two ex-Worth pupils know about gangs, the underworld, betrayal, deceit, contempt of Court, felony and prison life? Obviously enough to write and compose an extremely entertaining musical.

Julian Gairdner (St. Bedes 1989) and Alex Buckley (Gervase 1988) got together three years ago to develop an idea for a musical that had been a long-held ambition for Julian. Turning such an idea in to a full-blown stage production requires enthusiasm, determination, dedication and sheer hard work; typical characteristics of Worth Old Boys (!), or if not, certainly typical of Julian and Alex.

Understanding Archie - soul searching behind bars

Although not an official Old Boys; event, Understanding Archie materialised from a wonderful combination of enterprise by its writers, impressive acting from a younger than planned cast of current pupils of Worth and Burgess Hill girls’ school, an excellent orchestra and the combined talents of drama and music staff from both schools.

From the curtain rise on the premiere, the audience was drawn into drama, humour and emotion of gangland London in the 1920's which encouraged foot tapping, cheers, gasps and anxious silence.

Understanding Archie - The Cast

If the response of the audience was a measure of its success, I am delighted to have caught it before its West End debut.

Nicholas Butterworth (Gervase 1976)