Reminders of what pop-culture was in the 1980s are vibrating through Dyson Perrins High School this week, as a very large cast of pupils present Back to the 80s.

It's a lively show of song and dance, surrounding a flimsy story of the goings-on within the American William Ocean High School.

Day-to-day school events were enacted, accompanied with enthusiasm by an 80s-style band. These included a school election, between Corey Jnr (Marc Soley), who seems to always miss out, Michael (John Macleod), a sure fire winner apparently, and Feargal (Andrew Brealey), a serious chap who has theories in advance of his time.

They acted and sung in character and with confidence.

Assured solo singing, acting and dancing prevailed throughout the show by every performer.

Many of the songs were well-known, such as a super full chorus version of We are the world sung with great spirit.

Lisa Lancett and Kelly Bennett sang excellently in duet for When I am locked in your eyes and there were stylish deliveries of Material Girl and Be happy, which was sung unaccompanied.

Choreography was typical of the popular dance idiom of the wacky 1980s, as were costumes, scenery and manner of chat; an American accent was maintained reasonably well.

This was an ideal choice of production for these young performers and the actors obviously enjoyed themselves, as did the large first night audience.

Work by the back-stage crew was significant.

Jill Hopkins