Forthcoming school production

Tuesday 23rd November 2010

Salomon Pavey

We are rightly proud of the standard of drama work at Aldwickbury.  It has never been higher; this has been achieved by offering after-school drama for Years 2 -8, adding drama to the curriculum in the middle school  and providing an opportunity for all boys in the school to participate in performance projects.  Furthermore any boy with an interest or particular talent for performance can develop his expertise with one to one LAMDA lessons in acting or the speaking of verse and prose.  Who knows, perhaps one of our current crop could achieve a coveted drama scholarship as Oliver did last year.

 Following last year’s performance of Telling Wilde Tales is no easy task. Parents were heard to comment on the boys’ performances as being as good as any young actors they had seen in the West End.   Many were surprised to learn that the senior boys run the stage management and technical operations entirely by themselves.  Once again the boys are working hard to create a dynamic theatre company to offer you a rich and engaging theatrical experience.  

The Cast

The cast are drawn from boys from Years 5 - 8. Many of whom have already demonstrated considerable skill and creativity in previous productions. They have shown considerable commitment to their rehearsals and are no doubt getting excited at performing to the Aldwickbury community.

The Crew

The crew are made up of Year 8 boys with a flare for management and the ability to thrive under pressure.  During the Christmas term they assist the staff with the construction of costumes and props.  As the production draws near they move into a lighting or stage management teams and with only two full rehearsals step into the role of running the show.  The crew this year have all had crewing and performance experience in the last three school productions and are looking forward to being in charge.

The Production Team

For most of the team this is their fourth collaboration on the Christmas Production.  It is worth noting that Mr Harrison has been musical director for 26 years and this is his 3^rd production of Salomon Pavey.  He also has musical commitments outside school and, as a bassoonist , is currently involved in a project with Watford Philharmonic to play every symphony composed by Haydn of which there are 104.

We are delighted to welcome Mrs Devlin to the team; she has accepted the challenge of transforming our school hall into an Elizabethan theatre with alacrity and not the slightest hint of fear.  Mrs Devlin has worked on many school and amateur productions; The Demon Headmaster, Hamlet, Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and Bugsy Malone to name but a few.  She says that being involved in the team, preparing the scenery and creating the atmosphere of the production, whatever the play might be, is a highlight in the school year. Mrs Edwards has used her considerable DT skills to create props with a team of boys and particularly enjoys the creative flare demonstrated by the senior boys in their efforts to get it right.  This year fresh mackerel are proving to be a bit of a challenge.

Mrs Preston has costumed productions at Wells House, Hazelgrove House, Perrot Hill, Yeovil Youth Theatre and many a village Panto.  Her favourite productions include all of the plays written by David Wood and our own Snow Queen. Mr Lott has written adaptations of Shakespeare plays for juniors and seniors and has directed many plays, contemporary and classical, with young people of all ages.

Mrs Stewart worked in professional theatre, as an actor and director, with Rep, Touring and Children’s companies for 20 years before venturing into education. Her favourite jobs include directing The Sound Collector, by Roger McGough for Quicksilver Theatre, Tricycle Theatre and the Royal National Theatre as well as. devising and Directing Missing Piece, for Arena Touring Theatre, a new play for Years 7 and 8 which explores issues around inclusion in education.

 

Scenes from last year's performance of Wilde Tales