The Burgh Express pulled out of Galashiels this week en route to the North Pole – with lots of festive fun along the way.
There were sell-out crowds at all four performances of the Burgh School’s spectacular Christmas show, written and directed by deputy head Martin Wilson, and featuring all 217 pupils, from nursery to P7.
The audience was magically transported by the story of Una (played with aplomb by festively named P7 pupil Holly Nichol), struggling with her belief in a certain white-bearded fellow.
As she discusses her doubts with her parents, the Burgh Express comes along, whisking off Una and her four friends (Gregg Stewart, Chloe McGurk, Nicholas Smith and Caris Brus) on a magical journey through Canada in search of spagnum moss (reindeer food) and Siberia to collect the purest frozen icicles before arriving at the North Pole to meet the big man himself.
Music helps lighten the cathartic journey and the show had no less than four specially-composed new songs, performed in turn by the different age groups before a rousing ensemble finale of We Wish You All A Merry Christmas.
“All the children and staff worked tirelessly on scripting, set design, learning songs and memorising lines to give a very polished performance,” said a delighted Mr Wilson.
Cast (and understudies) – John Little, Julia Corcoran, Jay Todd, Holly Nichol, Chloe-Ann Woodward, Chloe McGurk, Nicholas Smith, Gregg Stewart, Caris Brus, Alex Messenger, Callum Brookes, Miya McLean, Lennox McLeod, Findlay Lindores, Meghan Campbell, Cade Robson, Alyssa Messenger, Jack Grieve, Faustus Juodeikis, Madison Turner, Isla Paterson, Joshua Greay and Nasthan Reid.
Backstage – Cameron Crawford, Ross Caverhill, Mark Gow, Kerr Halls, Mr Birrell and Mrs Hogg.
photographs: stuart cobley