Consider yourself at home - the show must go on for school pupils

Children whose school was shut for months over safety concerns have overcome the odds to stage their annual musical - promising the show must go on.

Rehearsals were halted when pupils were asked to stay home just before Christmas last year after an inspection of their 122-year-old building's roof found it was unsafe.

After a period in a neighbouring school, the children now consider themselves at home in their original school.

With Oliver Junior due to start this week, the school's principal said it was an example of a community refusing to let the curtain fall.

Nazareth House Primary School in Londonderry closed between December 2025 and February due to structural damage to its roof.

About 200 pupils and staff, including the nursery, re-located temporarily to the site of St Anne's Primary School.

Those arrangements remained in place while urgent remedial works were carried out. The roof has been temporarily repaired but the upper floor of the three storey building is now closed and out of use.

It housed a music room as well as toilets and some classrooms including a breakout area for children with educational needs.

Next year, everyone will be on the move again to temporary facilities in Lumen Christi College across the road in Bishop Street.

There had been fears the school would not be able to stage its annual show.

But the curtain will soon come up on Oliver Junior, based on the 1838 Charles Dickens novel Oliver Twist.

Principal Róisín Blackery said: "In true Nazareth House spirit, the school community refused to let the curtain fall."

She added that what has emerged is "a powerful celebration of resilience, determination and community".

"Against all odds, pupils, staff and families came together to ensure the show would go on - adapting to challenging circumstances and finding new ways to rehearse, prepare and perform," she said.

"It's what our school truly deserves."

She said the audience would witness "a story of determination, pride and unity that has unfolded both on and off the stage".

A key figure in the production is former principal Paul O'Hea.

He said the passion, drive and determination of the children in telling the story of Oliver Twist was inspiring.

"They have so much talent and ability and really just took on the challenge. It's a wonderful production and well worth seeing. I think everyone will be impressed. The children showed such remarkable resilience after all they've been through."

The children taking part have enjoyed every moment too over the last few months.

Rebecca said: "I am the Artful Dodger in the show and it's really fun. The dances are amazing. I love the singing as well."

Gail said she was glad to be back in Nazareth House after all the upheaval.

"We all tried very very hard to put everything into this show and hopefully it goes well. I think everybody is trying their best and I think it looks really good," she said.

Fiachra who plays a policeman added: "I just love the way that we have the opportunity to all act together and if there's any messing I'll sort it out."