AS-Level Theatre Festival

The Year 12 AS students performed four plays as slightly edited to fit the rubric of the exam.
Mrs Parker directed Vinegar Tom by Caryl Churchill which is a play about witchcraft and the way women were treated in Britain in the 1600s. In many ways the play is a British Crucible. The play used two huge sets of moving stairs to change mood, describe location and show the passing of time and the young cast of Ed, Grace, Kirsten, Nichola, Becky, Hetty and Ian created a wonderful atmosphere with some terrific and horrific moments.

Mr Parker directed Steven Berkoff’s adaptation of the The Trial written by Franz Kafka. Using only wooden doorways the cast managed to create a city of freneticism and frustration as poor old Joseph K, played brilliantly by Michael, is accused of a crime that is not described or explained. He then has to work his way through a whole series of interviews and experiences conjured up and performed by Carlotta, Dorian, Alisha, Pranav, Charlie and Hamish.

Mr Williams directed Ian Wooldridge’s adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. The ensemble of actors tried to present the play as a story centred on the simple staging prop of a cart – chosen for its farm and rural qualities. The actors became narrators, chorus and characters and they used a filmic soundtrack to create mood and atmosphere and heighten the action of the key events. The three central pigs of Napoleon, Snowball and Squealer were played by Chas, Katie P and Katie B respectively. The rest of the company of Fred, Tabitha, Fiona and Anna played the other animals on the farm and brilliantly only used ears and psychical theatre to bring them to life.

The final piece was the play version of Blood Brothers directed by Ms Emmett. This was a very spartan production which required the company to re-tell the story of the Johnstone twins, separated at birth because their mother couldn’t afford to keep them both. Focusing on clear acting skills the company had to age their characters and show the passing of twenty years. This is a play that is a roller coaster of an emotional journey for both actors and audience and Prue as Mrs Johnstone and Becky as Mrs Lyons were outstanding in their physical and psychological portrayal of the two mothers. Will was also inspirational in his portrayal of Mickey and he was ably supported by Jack as Eddie and Katherine as Linda. Alix and Rani created sinister commentators in their portrayal of the Narrators.