Drama

At First I was Afraid, I was Petrified

In March, I Senior and II Senior pupils did a production of “At First I was Afraid, I was Petrified” by Douglas Maxwell which was a new script written for a project called ‘Positive Stories for Negative Times’. The show was directed, choreographed and edited by our drama teacher Miss Syme.

Iwas given the role Cleo and I had so much fun with it! At first, it was a bit tricky to keep track of everything and get it right but I just tried to learn it chunk by chunk and eventually I got it! This show was different to any shows I had ever done before because instead of doing a live performance in front of an audience, we recorded it in sections and then edited it together into a full length video. Once all the editing was finished we posted a live link so parents, relatives and friends could all watch it together. Overall, it was an amazing experience and I’m so glad that I was a part of it!

Sarah Reynolds II Senior

7 Junior Macbeth

I really enjoyed the process of making the play because it was a whole new experience due to the old vocabulary that is new to us. I liked auditioning because it gave me more confidence. I wouldn’t say I had a favourite line, but my favourite part of Macbeth was when Macbeth realised he

would be King.

Amelia Blythe

In our 7J play Macbeth, I played the part of Malcolm, one of King Duncan’s sons. My favourite line from the play was from the witches when they said ‘double, double, toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble’. My favourite scene was the beginning where we were making noises and creating an eerie atmosphere. I really liked doing Macbeth. It was really fun and such a good experience.

Sophie O’Neill

In Macbeth I played the role of Macbeth. I loved playing this part because it was very exciting and had lots of dramatic parts in it. One very cool bit was when an army of guards, all in black formed a circle around me while the ghost of Banquo came and stood outside, on the other side of the circle. Then, all the guards dispersed leaving the ghost of Banquo in front of me. Another fun bit was doing the sword fighting with Aditi and Michelle (Young Siward and Macduff).

Rose Veitch

In Macbeth I played the role of Donalbain. I enjoyed Macbeth and my favourite scene was at the end when Macbeth’s head was chopped off and Macduff held it up and we all shouted. ‘All hail Macduff’. My favourite line was when the three witches did the ‘double, double, toil and trouble’ rhyme. I think Macbeth was a great opportunity and I learned lots of new skills.

Millie Leighton

In Macbeth I played Lady Macbeth – Macbeth’s determined and power-seeking wife. It was very enjoyable and was a super experience for the whole class. Although the language was difficult at first, after practice we understood it well. My favourite lines were the witches spell.

Katy McKee

One Night Only

AFTER A LONG TIME AWAY FROM THE STAGE WE FINALLY GOT BACK TO THE REHEARSAL ROOM, READY TO PERFORM FOR “ONE NIGHT ONLY”, A FILMED PERFORMANCE CONSISTING OF EXCERPTS AND MUSICAL NUMBERS FROM VARIOUS SHOWS, FROM ‘THE WEDDING SINGER’ AND ‘LES MISÉRABLES’ TO ‘ALICE IN WONDERLAND’ AND ‘MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM’.

We began by brainstorming some ideas so that everyone had a say in what we would be performing – a new concept that St Margaret’s drama department hadn’t done before. This year we attempted something new in filming the show to be streamed online. This was due to the challenges we faced with Covid restrictions.

But that didn’t stop us! We rehearsed with masks as well as social distancing to ensure everyone’s safety and still created a brilliant performance. This show gave everyone the opportunity to experiment with genres and characters but also be both in the orchestra and on stage performing. Once we had rehearsed we moved into the Aberdeen Arts Centre for the first time in two years. This was an exciting few days for everyone taking part as we were reintroduced to a professional performance space and we also had the opportunity to use cinematography equipment. This made our final performance professional looking so that when it was streamed online it was almost like being back in the theatre!

Eve Reynolds and Ella Moyes V Senior

Matilda JR

Every year pupils from 4-6 Junior have the opportunity to take part in Show Club, which runs after school every Wednesday from January to May. This year, girls were delighted to be able perform Matilda JR at The Lemon Tree – the first live performance in quite some time!

After lots of rehearsals, and a full dress and technical day at the theatre, the performance was a huge success. The girls’ talent, hard work and team spirit really paid off and we are already looking forward to next year!

This year’s Show Club was Matilda and it was amazing. I learnt that everyone is important even if you don’t have a part. I loved it and I was with my friends the whole time. We are all really sad it’s over but we are so proud of ourselves and each other.

It’s the end of Show Club but just the start of more opportunities in Drama and more shows to come. If it wasn’t for Miss Syme, Mr Mazur, Jessica and all the staff that helped us get on that stage this would never have been able to happen.

Ava Scott

I think that 4J-6J were superb in the performance of the junior school production of Matilda. This was the first time that any of us had performed, and done a whole play in Show Club. So I was exceptionally happy with how it went. I absolutely loved being in this play because it was such a good opportunity to show everyone’s acting, singing and dancing talents. It felt so good to be up on a stage with people enjoying something you’ve all participated in. The choreography was amazing and so were the numbers.

Penny Campbell

The Matilda show was stunning and everyone was hardworking and outstanding. The Lemon Tree stage along with some props was all that we needed.

Everyone was buzzing as the house got fuller by the minute. The play itself was performed beautifully by the cast that was chosen and the audience loved it and they laughed a lot through the show. You could even feel the excitement as people went in!

Liduo Liz Gao

At the beginning of the show everyone was nervous but we ended up doing marvellously. I think everyone in 6J was sad that this was our last show in Show Club but we all had a great time. Everyone was amazing and overall it was an excellent experience.

I am very thankful for Miss Syme, Mr Mazur and all the other people who were involved.

Rose Downey