Erne Integrated College rocked to the sights, sounds, colours and attitudes of the 80s this week as the school presented its first ever musical as part of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

‘Back to the 80s’ by Neil Gooding and Scott Copeman tells the story of love struck Corey Palmer who has his romantic sights set on the most beautiful girl in the school Tiffany Houston.

Unfortunately, King of the Jocks and arch-villain Michael Feldman has his sights set on the desirable Tiffany and will stop at nothing to get her. Throw in a cruel love deceit, a visionary geek and a girl desperate for fame and success, a catalogue of songs from an iconic decade and you have the recipe for a rip-roaring, handclapping, foot stomping, feel-good fest.

The matinee on Wednesday and both evening performances were sell-out shows.

Principal Mr. Jackson-Ware commented: “It was with great reluctance that we had to turn patrons away and although we knew we had a winning show on our hands, we were pleasantly taken aback by the public response and demand for tickets. Word about the energy and quality of the production seemed to spread like wildfire and we were inundated with requests for seats.”

The principal said that he was “immensely proud” of the talent and work ethic of the students. He paid tribute to their “selfless dedication to a gruelling rehearsal schedule”, and said that their positive approach, creative energy and intelligence in interpreting character and plot was simply humbling.

He went onto to acknowledge the hard work of all staff in the College, the Parent’s Council, the Board of Governors, sponsors and friends of the school in bringing the production to the stage.

Mr Jackson Ware stated that “anyone who knows anything about a production of this scale knows that it can’t be done without an army of support and everyone pulling in the same direction to achieve the common goal”.

He paid tribute to the hard work and sacrifice of every single member of staff but especially the core production team of Pete Doherty, Sean Murphy and Tory McVeigh.

Summing up Mr. Jackson Ware said: “For me this was all about giving our young people an experience that they will never forget.

“We had over 40 students on that stage with a very wide range of talents and abilities and every single one of them shone.

“The positivity in the feedback from those who attended the show is true testament to the excellence and talent of our young people and all I can say to them is a huge thank you from all those involved in the school and the wider community.”