10 View

Spring ‘10 Issue 14

Spring ‘10 Issue 14

VIEW

11

Performing Arts

Edwards’s

SCOTT’S HOUSE set the scene with an ambitious production duo, staging two separate comedies individually for senior and Sixth-form pupils.

Bar Wars – Return of the Sauce had all

the right ingredients for a comedy who- dunnit, the theft of a secret sauce recipe from Bella Italia Restaurant, turning the heat and the spotlight on to the owner of a rival eatery, Spanish Nights. Private investigator Fifi Phalange (Rachel Francis), along with various side kicks, ‘sur-pasta-d’ herself to solve the crime.

“It was just great fun to be a part of it all and really good experience for a young

cast,” says Rachel.

In The Virtuous Burglar, JAKOBEK’S

chose a timeless farce by Nobel Prize- winner Dario Fo. A burglar breaking into the home of a wealthy councillor finds himself embroiled in a web of marital intrigue.

It was a debut production by co-directors Roisin Kearney and Rachel Hine. “Being

a director has been a new experience for both of us. Although we have acted in plays in and outside of School, we’ve never before had the responsibility of choosing, auditioning and putting something together in the space of three short weeks. Thanks to all our brilliant and committed cast. There have been a lot of laughs (even if sometimes through gritted teeth!), and it has been a truly valuable experience.”

All proceeds from the production will be given to DEC to help the people of Haiti.

Directed by Kitty Hardman, the SCOTT’S Sixth formers’ production of The Nerd plotted the calamitous impact wrought by the title character on the lives of a close

group of friends. “Side splittingly funny from first to last scene.”

“Debutant actors Louis Luscombe and Sarah Joyce proved they should have been doing this a long time ago, while Tom Barr was his usual outrageous self.”

Will Godfrey Upper Sixth

CATCHPOLE’S took on The Ladykillers

after director Amy Chappelhow bravely adapted the script from a film after watching it for nine hours.

James and Jo Jackson throw a dinner party in which the former has an announcement to make, a very important one, of which even his wife knows nothing. Misunderstandings, malpropisms and mighty amounts of drink consumed on-stage are all present. All in all, chaos ensues and the characters leave with a very different view on what’s what and who’s who.

Highpoints for the director include, “Ella

emerging with the sheep-hat on; “I have chicken fat on my face’’; Fanny’s guerilla- style gorilla attack; and, last but not least, the infamous dance sequence.”

The Ladykillers plots the course of five oddball criminal types, a gang of would- be bank robbers who beguile their little old landlady with tales of their musical ability, when really they plan to use her naiveté to their advantage. All this along with pantomime horses, fruitsellers and some amazing stage combat.

“To be completely honest I had no idea what I was in for when I accepted Mr Catchpole’s request to direct this year’s House play, and no, I didn’t know it would cause me to have quite as many mini breakdowns as it has!”

Amy Chappelhow.

KEEN’S HOUSE performance of

Bad Eggs was notable for many great successes, not least an original script written by Director Will Amott, (see View page 14).

sells out

with united performance

This term’s concert by Edwards’s House was a sell-out event showcasing the talents of the whole House family, from the novices in Year 7 to the ‘old pros’ of the Sixth Form.

to a packed musical extravaganza which moved between Blackadder and contemporary dance, to Amy Winehouse, Noel Coward, classical Spanish guitar and Coldplay. All were excellent, but top of the bill was reserved for the undisputed Queen of House Music in all its forms, Esther Carter. She gave a magnificent solo performance before, with the massed ranks of the House choir, she brought the

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ifty members of the House, drawn from every year-group, as well as the House staff, took to the stage, contributing

concert to a close with a musical medley celebrating House songs from the last seven years.

“The warmth of the reception our musicians received from the audience was rivalled only by the camaraderie

backstage,” confirmed Head of House

Oliver Edwards. “It was lovely to see the older hands helping the younger performers with their nerves and all providing support and encouragement for each other. What a terrific evening – well done to all involved.”

BGS in harmony with Argentina

Despite the cold, parents and students gave a warm welcome to visitors from St Andrew’s Scots School, Buenos Aires, arriving in Bristol in thick snow in the middle of January.

ome 75 students visited from Argentina, with around half hosted by families from the School. Together they made

up a choir of 60 and an orchestra of 35, performing at a joint concert with our own Cantata, Camerata, Wind Orchestra, BGS Choir and Ceilidh Band.

The evening’s excellent musical mix was topped off with an ad hoc joint

performance of Somewhere over the

Rainbow and a promise from our guests to host all our students should we want to organise a return trip.

First steps

In a first joint venture between the Honours Programme and the Russian Department, students from BGS spent a night at the ballet in February, a production of The Nutcracker, performed by the Russian State Ballet of Siberia.

Having had an interest in dance for many years, Year 10 student Rachel Oliver decided to go along and find out what it was like.

“From the moment the curtain went up, we and the rest of the audience were captivated by beautiful and flawless dancing,” said Rachel. “The performers thrilled us with their leaps and turns, flexibility and muscle control. The production was amazing and I would definitely go to another ballet.”

The Nutcracker was a new experience for Holly Bluck Year 8, “It was wonderful

to watch the performers telling a story just through movement and dance. I was fascinated by it and the dancing was incredible.”

It was the first trip to the ballet for Russian student Freddie Draper (Lower Sixth) and something of an eye-opener. “I didn’t think

ballet would be my thing,” admitted Freddie. “People of our age often knock classical music and ballet but the orchestra was simply superb: a perfect end to the week.”

Students from four Houses took to the stage this term, showcasing their creativity and camaraderie, talent and team spirit in the production of five House plays.

Entertainment

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