10
View Spring ‘11 Issue 17
Gunawardana's Se e How They Run!
Music / Performing Arts
House Plays Headlong humour
Philip King’s farce, See How They Run! was chosen by Gunawardana’s for this term’s House Play. Directors Jo and Nick used their experience and expertise to bring the play to life in a very short time. The enthusiasm of the cast proved to be catching. Although for many this was a début performance, they quickly engaged their audience and bouts of laughter punctuated the whole performance. Says Head of House Aruna Gunawardana, “Congratulations to everyone who trod the boards, and to the many students who took responsibility behind the scenes. These were two very successful shows.”
A Play on Words
“We thought we’d cracked it – the longest word in the dictionary – ‘disestablishmentarianism’, but then Collins had to go and up the ante.” Set in the offices of a dictionary, there were plenty of puns and laughs in abundance in the Keen’s House Play 2011, directed and written by Alistair of the Upper Sixth. There was some surprising characterisation, including Duncan , a robust Rugby Forward in a dress. Talented actors from Year 7 to the Upper Sixth were spurred on by the enthusiasm that Alistair engendered. It was clearly as much fun to perform
as it was to watch. Ms Diamond, who takes over the Yellow House reins from September, must have been delighted at the prospects for future House Drama.
Winning scripts
Scott’s House Plays were both high on humour. Check Please (Junior Play), a one-act play of nightmare speed dates, by Jonathan Rand, and Ray Cooney’s Out of Order (Senior Play), a political farce, were according to many of the audience, the best House Plays they had seen. Kamini (Lower Sixth) played ‘The Manager’ in Out Of Order, and said, “These were great scripts with storylines that kept the audience laughing throughout.” Head of House, Ben Scott was one of those laughing in the aisles. He said, “There were great acting skills on display. Credit goes to all the students involved, both on stage and behind the scenes.” Stand out performances came from Ali as Richard ‘Dickie’ Willey, and from Jessie as director of the Senior Play. A special mention also goes to Olivia and Will for their lead roles in the Junior Play.
Catchpole’s Confusions
Catchpole’s director Helly (Upper Sixth) chose to tackle not one, but four interlinking plays based on the complex nature of relationships. Tor Elcock watched the plot unfold over just a matter of weeks. She says,
“As a Music teacher, I have respect for anyone who puts themselves in front of an audience without a musical instrument to blame when it all goes wrong. “Many of the cast had little experience but after just three long Sunday rehearsals they were ready or very nearly ready, for their technical run-through. It was a marvel to see how developed the characters had become.” Mother Figure depicts the half-crazed mum, Lucy, who spends so much time at home with the kids that she starts to treat everyone like children. In Drinking Companions, Lucy’s errant salesman husband is miles away, distracted by the charms of Paula and Bernice. Between Mouthfuls tells the story of the rapidlydeteriorating relationships of diners Polly and Martin, and Mr and Mrs Pearce.
Finally in Gosforth’s Fête the story of another affair emerges. The play reaches its climax when Mrs Pearce gets electrocuted by the faulty PA system (excellent strobe lighting and sound effects by Stage Crew). The audience were captivated, enjoying the exaggerated characters and outrageous situations. Adds Tor Elcock, “The cast were excellent. Lorena ’s portrayal of Lucy went down very well. Yongqi ’s wacky interpretation of Harry was brilliantly cringeworthy.”