The Old Dy’vorians’ Association is a membership organisation for those who had the good fortune to be educated at Dynevor School and its staff.
It is a non profit, non commercial organisation which has been in existence since 1930 and boasts several hundred members from all walks of life.
One of the key aims of the Old Dy’vorians’ Association is to take an interest in supporting educational development in Swansea and its environs, by making charitable donations.
Dynevor Days is our latest project.
A Very Special School Trip
In March, 1997, Year 11 pupils Dawn Foley and Vivien Lake, along with Allan Smith, Headmaster, and Judith Kerslake, Head of Drama, were guests of The Really Useful Theatre Company.
Vivien said: “My experience of being chosen to go to London to meet Steve Balsamo, have a backstage tour, and watch the production of ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is still a vivid and special memory for me.
I remember the day that I and my friend Dawn Foley were ‘summoned’ out of history class and told that the headmaster wanted to see us – we were sure we hadn’t done anything wrong, yet not entirely confident!
We sat in the headmaster’s office and that’s when he told us we’d been chosen. For me, it was honestly like a dream come true. At that time, it was my ambition to become an actor. Drama was my favourite subject, and I loved musical theatre, which the annual trips to see shows in London organised by Mrs Kerslake served only to deepen. So, to be chosen to have a V.I.P. tour, meet the star, and watch the production of a musical that I hadn’t yet seen was mind-blowing!
The day itself was as awesome as you could imagine – I’m pretty sure we had 1st class train tickets, then ferried around London in a limousine! Meeting with Steve Balsamo, sitting in the auditorium chatting – not only was he a great, down-to-earth, friendly guy but it was just wonderful knowing that he had been to Dynevor too. At that time the school didn’t always have the best press, so be able to see such a great individual doing great things, was in itself an inspiration.
During the backstage tour, we got to see the costume department with the ‘crown of thorns’ that was made out of rubber! We stood on the stage, which was an especially strong emotion for me. And to top it all off we were given the CD and commemorative brochure of the production – which I still have!
In the evening, we watched the show. It was simply awe-inspiring.
After Dynevor, I went on to do an A-level in performing arts, and although I didn’t end up pursuing a career in acting, the experience nevertheless was one that I never forgot, and I think it helped me to believe that anything is possible!
To this day, ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ is in my favourite musical, Steve Balsamo is the best Jesus, and I’m pretty sure I could still do a one-women rendition of the musical, if anyone wants me to!”
Mme Vivien LAKE
Learning Designer/Conseillere en pédagogie innovante
IDEX MSc International Programs
Université Côte d’Azur
Dawn and Vivien attended Terrace Road Primary and Dynevor Schools.
Later in the same year, a school trip was organised by Judith, to see a matinee performance of the show. Afterwards Steve met with staff and pupils on the theatre’s stage to chat about technical aspects of the performance and sign programme.
Photographs supplied by Mrs J. Kerslake and Mr A. Smith. See Find Your Years 1997 for more photos.