Special thank you for NHS staff and key workers as a Waterlooville stage school performs rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream

By Belinda Dickins

Community reporter

Published 28th Feb 2019, 14:03 BST

Updated 16th Apr 2020, 18:14 BST

A MUSICAL tribute to the NHS and key workers left the director of a Waterlooville stage school in tears as students starred in a heartwarming video.

Rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream aiming to show gratitude for frontline staff were written by South Downe Stage School choreographer Sophie Dulake and her mum Helen, with students and families encouraged to record themselves singing the song.

The school, which has around 30 members and is open to anyone regardless of ability, wanted to share a thank you message to the NHS and many jumped at the opportunity to take part.

Current and previous members joined in, with NHS staff and key workers sending in pictures of themselves in uniform to be used in the final video, which was edited by videographer Tony Neal.

Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Part of the video where some students held up thank you signs — Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Part of the video where some students held up thank you signs | Other 3rd Party

placeholder image — Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Part of the video where some students held up thank you signs | Other 3rd Party

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Sophie said: ‘Everyone at South Downe Stage School thanks Tony for all his hard work and efforts. We think the video is truly amazing.

‘We have created this video and song to put a smile on everyone's face and to thank the NHS for everything they are doing during this pandemic.’

Stage school director and Sophie’s sister Emily Dulake was one of the first students to join when the school was started in the early 2000s, and took over as director when her predecessor had to leave.

Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Students performing in the Christmas showcase — Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Students performing in the Christmas showcase | Other 3rd Party

placeholder image — Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Students performing in the Christmas showcase | Other 3rd Party

Emily said: ‘It was either I take it over or the kids have nowhere to go. It was never the plan but I wouldn’t change it for the world.’

About the final video, Emily said: ‘It brought me to tears. A lot of them have never performed before so the whole experience is new to them. Whenever they take their final bow I’m always crying.’

All of the staff at South Downe Stage School are volunteers, helping children aged eight to 18 learn performance skills and star in shows put on by the school, one of which was set to take place on Saturday but had to be cancelled.

Sophie said: ‘We are all so proud of the children at South Downe Stage School.

Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Volunteer staff from the school. Clockwise from top left: Helen Dulake, treasurer, Sophie Dulake, choreographer, Debbie Hughes, chairman, Paul Goldthorpe, assistant director, and Emily Dulake, director — Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Volunteer staff from the school. Clockwise from top left: Helen Dulake, treasurer, Sophie Dulake, choreographer, Debbie Hughes, chairman, Paul Goldthorpe, assistant director, and Emily Dulake, director | Other 3rd Party

placeholder image — Performers from South Down Stage School in Waterlooville have starred in a video singing rewritten lyrics to Islands in the Stream as a thank you to NHS staff and key workers. Pictured: Volunteer staff from the school. Clockwise from top left: Helen Dulake, treasurer, Sophie Dulake, choreographer, Debbie Hughes, chairman, Paul Goldthorpe, assistant director, and Emily Dulake, director | Other 3rd Party

‘Myself and Emily are so grateful for the staff who work with us. They are amazing people and we couldn’t do this without them.’

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