10 minute read
PERFORMING ARTS
Frankenstein was a spectacle, flagship performance for Drama at Repton, and a privilege to be a part of. I played the role of The Creature - a being born out of an artificial womb in the form of a developed man, covered in scars but with no idea of how to function other than crawling and stumbling around. I watched videos on chimpanzee and baby behaviours to inspire the movements of The Creature, and watched The National Theatre's
Frankenstein whilst learning lines and isolating with Covid-19.
I believe that it was the prosthetics that visually separated The Creature from a normal human being and the audience; the scars showing organs and body parts added to the base of a body, and a bald head to look different than the rest of the cast. However, the quality of the prosthetics on my body was done with such care by the makeup team that I almost enjoyed the two and a half hours of time it took to be fully in character – sitting down from 4pm to 6:30pm was only really made bearable by my music playing on the speaker…although maybe the rest of the cast might have thought differently to that!
The full run throughs, dress rehearsals, and show nights were where I began to add my own scars and bruises to my body that weren't put on with makeup. It is without a doubt the most painful thing in the world when you fall over wrong, kick a metal chest (hard enough to dent it), and rehearse barefoot for, stepping on sharp objects the whole time. Still, I loved it; it all made The Creature seem more real and, if a moment went wrong for me, then I knew how to react in character.
The Creature tested me and made me face a challenge like no other acting experience I’ve ever had - the physicality that I had to provide for the role was immense. Words cannot express how proud I am of what the cast managed to achieve in such a short time. Every single one of us faced a challenge and every single one was part of a show to remember.
Reims W U6C
At the end of my first Michaelmas Term at Repton I was cast as William in the school’s production of Frankenstein. I had not been involved in a drama production before, but the company and crew were really supportive from start to finish and I was able to develop my acting skills and to learn from their experience. This was especially true of the older years, who were always happy to help and encourage me. My character, the brother of Frankenstein, is killed by the creature in the play. The creature is trying to hurt Frankenstein for abandoning him. My acting skills were tested by such a challenging role, and it took a long time to learn my lines, but I enjoyed being part of this big dramatic production. The 400 Hall, especially the suspended ceiling and all the special features of the stage, is amazing. My favourite bit was when I got to come out of the trap door, as no one in the audience expected me to reappear after my death! The whole performance was very professional, and I would encourage anybody to get involved in drama at Repton!
Joseph R 10P
When I got my drama scholarship, I was so excited to come to Repton and expand on my theatre knowledge. Frankenstein was nothing short of an amazing experience. Although the rehearsals may have felt like they lasted all night, it was worth it. It was a really fun experience and I got to talk to people I normally wouldn’t. I felt that everyone, Frankenstein (the amazing Ali H) or ensemble, was included and appreciated. Overall, it was a really fun experience, and I can’t wait to be in more of the school’s production in the next few years.
Cameron B 9G
Iwanted to audition for We Will Rock You because it was the last show I'd be a part of at Repton. I also wanted to see if I could do well in a musical, because I've always preferred plays such as Frankenstein where the challenge is to develop and play the role you're given. However, with a musical it's about hitting the notes in the songs, being step-perfect in the dances, and learning the lines. When I was given the role as Galileo that was when the real pressure set in. After such a wild response from Frankenstein I, like everyone who was a part of Frankenstein, knew that we had to meet the public's expectation… and I knew we could meet the standard and if not, we'd raise the bar even higher as a musical. Rehearsals were unlike anything I've been a part of; one day I'd be acting out lines for an hour and a half followed by another hour in the studio with the band learning songs. One of the funniest memories was telling the directors that I only knew five out of the nine songs I was in after beginning week two of rehearsals… they weren't laughing. I was surrounded by familiar faces in rehearsals: with friends I'd made from Frankenstein and friends I've made throughout my time at Repton. Yet it was also about how many faces I'd never seen before, the number of young actors that were a part of this production was crazy. I call them actors because during the day they're students, at night they became actors, and at night was when we showed everyone how hard we worked in ten weeks, and provide our friends, family, and community a show to remember once more.
If I'm honest, I think I was let off with my costume after a lack of one for Frankenstein. But everyone else managed to make me feel like I was the odd one out for wearing normal clothes in this show by wearing the craziest stuff – see Robert Rustom/ Britney Spears, but I guess the idea is for me to be the odd one out anyway, so I suppose we all had the right costume ideas. Lucky for me.
This was my last production at Repton. This was the first time I had a lead in a musical. This was the first year where I was a lead, and I had the honour of having this role twice in a year, but that's irrelevant; I believe that every role is important and not one character is seen as a smaller part by the audience. The phrase is that everyone has a part to play, so you play it with everything you've got in you. As I said, the number of young actors in the cast was incredible, and I am proud to be leaving the Drama department with the knowledge that there are many people keen to take my place and the Upper Sixth actors as we leave for bigger parts to play in the world. If I could give one message to anyone interested in Drama, whether its for fun, a GCSE, an A Level, backstage, or onstage… do it. You will find something in yourself you never knew you had.
Reims W U6C
February 2020: the last time I performed, the last time I felt the buzz of energy in the dressing rooms, the nerves before opening night. It has been a long couple of years since then, and I’m so grateful that, after all this time, I was able to perform again. Achieving a big role in this year’s musical – We Will Rock You – was monumental for me, so it will come as no surprise that I was so excited to start rehearsing for this show. Still, it wasn’t without its challenges.
Killer Queen. Now, that’s a character. This was the most exaggerated character I have ever played and I loved it. Everything about this role was amplified; from the facial expressions to the physicality required. Interestingly, a real highlight for me was not only the performances but my first rehearsal as I was filled with anticipation, trying to figure out this complex character. Honestly, it did not take that long to settle into it, and I was enjoying it, until I did my Killer Queen inspired makeup for the first time and it felt very different to what I was used to. The makeup element of my character took some getting used to but I made vast amounts of progress with it before opening night and, by that time, I was fully adjusted and in the headspace to play this character and tell her unusually thrilling story. This was all thanks to the costume -- without it I don’t think I would have been able to channel the energy to engage with this character as well as I did. For me, the costume was the best part as I had some creative influence. There were many conversations about what would be appropriate to fully embody Killer Queen through costume and the end result exceeded all my expectations.
I really appreciated being able to be on stage again, but it all feels so surreal and I’m still soaking it in. I’m so thankful for this and, all the talented, supportive people who were around me.
Esther A-A L6F
It would have been a real honour and privilege take a major role in such a big production at any point during my time at Repton at all, let alone in A Block! The atmosphere on the night was very exciting and I felt like I had a very capable team of both actors, backstage crew and direction behind me. I really felt a sense of achievement after the first performance was over; we had been rehearsing solidly, to ensure that we could deliver the best performance possible. I was very pleased about how the production went and I am looking forward to seeing how my time at Repton progresses and helps me develop as an actor, both on stage and as part of my GCSE Drama studies. I think that it is very important to perform in front of people. It has helped me to be more confident – if you can stand on stage in front of your peers, you can do anything!
Henry W 10S
BACKSTAGE PERSPECTIVE
During the school’s production of Frankenstein, I worked as lighting operator with our Production Manager, Mr Carl. It was a great experience and I got to understand more about what happens backstage during performances, as well as getting to know other year groups. With the help of Mr Carl, and cues from the Deputy Stage
Manager, Sophie P, it didn’t take long to understand what I needed to do on show nights. Besides pressing buttons I got to help paint pieces of the set. Overall, working backstage for Frankenstein was an enlightening experience and I would recommend it to anyone, especially those interested in theatre and wanting to get involved in a Repton production.
Emelia B L6M
