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Shakespeare Double Bill

Year 8's production of 'Romeo and Juliet'

We originally intended this evening of Shakespeare to be a low-key performance, to provide an opportunity for those pupils who had been studying Shakespeare to try the real thing, and to give younger pupils an opportunity to play with the language rather than study it. So rehearsals commenced.

"Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow..."
Romeo and Juliet during the infamous balcony scene

Sometimes these were frustrating occasions for everyone: either because of absences, or forgotten lines, or too little space. However, lots of learning was taking place, over and above the words and actions. The actors learnt about the discipline required not just on stage but during rehearsals, the focus and the team work necessary to bring words to life in an empty space. There was plenty of enjoyment, too.

"Ask me for tomorrow and you shall find me a grave man."
Mercutio dies

With the opening of the Read Hall, rehearsals took on a new dimension. The actors could begin to visualise what was going to happen, and they had the space to experiment with some of their own ideas. The introduction of lighting (designed by Roger Steel) and sound, then costumes (many of them made by Mrs Lett), made everyone very excited. By the week of the production, we had a studio theatre within the Hall, and everyone was primed and ready.

"Now, Tybalt, take that villain back again, that late thou gavest me"
Romeo challenges Tybalt to a duel.

We were delighted by the success of the evening. The actors and technicians worked their magic, and learnt to overcome any difficulties which came their way. The boys on the technical team worked tirelessly at a difficult job in a new space, and the actors supported one another both on and off stage. As we watched them perform confidently and enthusiastically, in the greater roles and the lesser, we realised how far they had travelled since our first rehearsal.

"Civil blood makes civil hands unclean"
The brawling servants contemplate the effect of their actions during the prologue

Here are some of the comments made by the actors after the performances were over:

“In ‘Romeo and Juliet’ I played the character of Balthazar who is a Montague servant ... I tried to show Balthazar on stage by trying to be very confident to the two Capulet servants, showing them that I was not afraid of them. I also tried to be aggressive when fighting them, acting as though I wanted to kill...I have learnt that you really have to feel how your character acts, and what he or she feels towards the other characters. I enjoyed the experience very much.” Hannah Phillips

“I found it relatively hard to play Lady Capulet because I had to try to influence Lord Capulet, and to find a way to relate to Juliet. Although I found my role quite challenging, I enjoyed it thoroughly.” Hannah Carroll

"...foot it girls!"
Capulet urges his guests to dance

“I enjoyed being part of the performance, especially towards the end, as rehearsals ate up a lot of our free time. Although I had a small part, I have learnt a lot of Shakespeare from hearing the lines repeated over and over again. Being part of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ gave me a buzz and I really had fun and gained a lot from this experience.” Susan Fuller

Hamish and Russel - masters of sound.

“Romeo is a very sad, mournful character, almost always feeling melancholy. This is hard to portray and I found that listening to depressing music helped me to be sad on stage...I also practised being sad on the cat...

...I enjoyed playing Romeo thoroughly. It was brilliant and I enjoyed almost every minute...I had the opportunity to perform in front of over 100 people...it has been a highlight of my life.” Seb Sanders

Year 6's presentation of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'.

Inspired by a performance of this play I saw last spring, at the Theatre Royal, I was determined to give a talented Year 6 the opportunity to experience and enjoy the work of the Bard through performance of this beautifully comic play, rich in language and diverse in characters. With so much talent across the year group, I was spoilt for choice when casting, and, armed with an abridged thirty minute script, we set to work.

Helena (Lucy Baxter) gives Hermia (Coco Brown) a piece of her mind as Lysander (Henry Burton) + Demetrius (Stuart Macgregor) argue over her attention. They are watched over by Puck (Tally Watt) + Oberon

On reflection, we really did come a long way. From cramped conditions in a small, stuffy, heavily furnished classroom, we took on new dimensions from January when we moved to the Read Hall. And, with the final magic of the black box, cyclorama and moonlit lighting, we were the privileged debutants.

Peaseblossom (Jemima Sanders) and Cobweb (Sarah Carroll) take their positions for the opening scene

The actors all bubbled and boiled with enthusiasm from the first rehearsals and without doubt benefited from the exposure to the language, their lines spoken with understanding, clarity and belief. I hope that they continue to enjoy their drama and now regard Shakespeare in a new light.

Mrs. Chitty

(P.S. Watch out, my next trip to the Theatre Royal is to see the English Opera performing Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro!)

Francis Flute (Gregory Bullock) plays Thisbe, as the mechanicals entertain at the Duke's court

Here are some comments from members of the cast.

“First we got into our costumes; I was Hippolyta and wore a cream dress as I was to marry Lauren (Theseus). Josie’s mum had very cleverly made all the costumes!” Jessica Fish – Hippolyta

“Getting changed into my outfit was so exciting; I wasn’t nervous at all … then people flooded in, they were all talking and it was so hard not to open my eyes… “ Laura Fuller - Moth

Oberon (Dominic Weatherby) cooks up a plan against Titania
"I will torment thee for this injury!"

“Whispering to the rest of the nervous actors backstage, suddenly I heard my cue to go on stage! I felt like I had forgotten my lines that I had spent countless nights practising but for some reason I executed them beautifully… they were laughing” Archie Brown – Snug the joiner (and lion)

"Asleep, my love what, dead my love ?"
Has Bottom finally died ?

“I decided to be brave, but as I came on, I forgot to be brave, well, I wasn’t thinking about that, I was just excited. I didn’t have time to be brave because suddenly it seemed so quick! Once we had come off I was very relieved and glad nothing had gone wrong… I felt very proud and pleased that I had had this chance of this experience.” Michael Popp – Starveling (and moonshine)

"I dare to swear I love thee" says Titania (Libby Collings) to Bottom (Max Lewis Williams)

“…I had to wear a wig and a dress and kiss Max. But the dress rehearsal was only the tip of the iceberg. We had to do it two times more but in front of the parents. “ Gregory Bullock – Flute, the bellows mender

“When I was ready to jump on and play my flute, my tummy was a roller coaster ride. What if I played a wrong note? Luckily I didn’t… I felt special to bow at the end” Gussie Welsh – musical fairy

The courtiers welcome Duke Theseus and his Hippolyta

“I certainly enjoyed this experience, I love drama and acting” Laura Fuller - Moth

“Can we do it again tomorrow? That was the best time of my life!” Max Lewis Williams – Bottom

“I would definitely do the play again; it was great fun doing the rehearsals, trying on our costumes and performing” Leonora Wills – a fairy