Newsies Jr Review - Moreton Hall

Culture & Events

Newsies Jr Review

Produced and Directed by Bethan Macdonald

Moreton Hall, 17th to 19th March 2026

Philip Graham once said “the newspaper is the first rough draft of history.” If this is the case, then history was certainly in the making in the Holroyd Theatre this week. Beautifully interweaving the idea of both delivering and making the news, this is the story of how young, underprivileged and supposedly powerless young people were able to make a stand against authority, represented in this case by the fabulously austere Joseph Pulitzer, played by Carmen (U4).

Set in a dingy New York backstreet, with the subtle tones of a sepia photograph and complete with crumbling brick walls and black timber ramparts, we meet the ‘Newsies’: street kids who sell newspapers to keep the wolf-not-so-very-far from the door. Their unprepossessing but talented leader, Jack (masterfully played by Katie, U4) dreams of a new life in Sante Fe and shares his hopes with the adorable Crutchie, played by Teifi (U4), who melted every heart with a tear-jerking performance, particularly in the later number ‘Letter from the Refuge’.

But as Jack’s dreams melt away, he is joined by his fellow Newsies in the rousing anthem ‘Carrying the Banner’…

If more is more, then the ensemble pieces in this musical prove it. The cast came together in an intricate choreography that both celebrated individual talent and the complex harmony of synchronised singing and dancing. It is almost impossible to pick out any particular highlights, but there were stunning performances by Frankie (Remove), Molly (L4) and Mabel (Remove).

After this, the story slowly unfolded like the pages of a spreadsheet and we come across Medda, a Broadway star, mesmerisingly and to those who know her quite unexpectedly played by Abena (L4). What a voice! And, when surrounded by her coterie of enthusiastic dancing girls, the Bowery Brigade, provided a spectacle to treasure.

However, the highlights just kept coming, like headlines on a busy news day. The ensemble pieces ‘The World Will Know’ and ‘Brooklyn’s Here’ revealed the ability of Moreton girls to work together seamlessly, both supporting those with leading roles and allowing others to shine too. It was wonderful to see elegant pirouettes from Florence (Remove), some dynamic flick-flacking from Olivia, Darcy, Willow and Bonnie (Remove) and a flawless tap dance from Lilyanna (Remove).

Of course, we must not forget that a newspaper is always reliant on its journalists, and in this case, they were represented by the charming and well-intentioned Katherine Plumber, played by Jemima (L4), whose strong performance provided a credible anchor in the maelstrom of the Newsies’ strike.

Similarly, there were outstanding performances by the militant Davey (Thea, U4), side-kick Les (Olwen, U4) and feminist Hazel (Sara, U4).

And, as the final page on the story turned, the ensemble cast came together ‘Once and For All’ with a barn-storming eruption of song and dance. It was clear here, and throughout the performance, that each and every girl on the stage was loving every moment of what they were doing.And we, as an audience, loved it too.Never mind holding the back page; this was front page news all the way…

Remember, you read it here first!