Issue 49 Spring 2014
Highlights
ST A L B A N S S C H O O L
A NOSE FOR LOVE Full of colour, action and romance, Cyrano de Bergerac took to the stage for five performances at the end of November. Lavishly costumed and beautifully lit, the production followed the heart wrenching story of the long-nosed master of words and his selfless love. Joe Eastham gave a bravura central performance, seldom off the stage, but he was surrounded by many sharply-judged performances of key characters as well as slick ensemble work from the cast, who play everything from nuns to soldiers, with a few peasants in between. In all, a cast and crew of 35 students transformed the hall into 17th century France, making full use of the space – including Cyrano abseiling from the balcony to make a grand entrance. Glyn Maxwell’s adaptation of the classic story has wit, deriving its humour from sharp dialogue and a satiric exploration of the follies of love. At the same time, it explores the nature of trust and long-lasting fidelity, leading to its poignant climax. Glyn Maxwell had earlier attended some of the rehearsals, and came to watch the production. He was delighted, praising the way that the cast handled the verse of his poetic script.
Woollams Team Award The hard-working team at Woollams has an extra spring in the step, after winning a coveted award from the Institute of Groundsmanship. Following extensive evaluation, reports and a visit to the site, the groundstaff were finalists at the ceremony at the Ricoh Stadium on 5th December. They were pitched against Hampton School for the School, College, University or Sports Club Grounds Team of the Year.
Mr Danny Swanson and Miss Rebecca Baxter co-directed the show, while Mr Mick Stout and Mr Phil Craig wrote and recorded original music. Mr James Lockhart and Mr Guy Lewis oversaw the complex technical side of the production, aided by a team of dedicated and skilful pupils.
Although Joe Eastham was exceptional in the title role, Cyrano was very much an ensemble production
‘We have been runners-up before, ‘ said Ian Smith, the School’s Sports Turf Consultant, ‘so this year we really wanted to win it.’ The award recognises the work of a team of ground staff working at an educational establishment. The Woollams groundsmen look after the sports facilities for the School and the OAs, covering a huge amount of ground with a tight-knit team. ‘It’s real tribute to the team,’ said Head Groundsman Steve Ascott. ‘They have all worked so hard, and thoroughly deserve this recognition.’ Earlier in the term, Woollams had been a key venue on the itinerary of the Institute of Sri Lankan Sports Turf Development. They visited to learn how the team manages such a large facility of varied pitches and to have demonstrations of different types of machinery.