On Thursday 21 April all Year 10 Drama pupils got involved with putting on an evening of comedy. The pupils had split into four groups, and were given the brief of ‘home’. Around this brief, the groups had to create a short, original play and were in charge of marketing the plays, creating costumes, sets, lighting and then host the evenings as well, as a full practise for their upcoming GCSEs. The event, which took place in the Tithe Barn, was a resounding success and the audience enjoyed innovative and comical pieces.
The first group opened proceedings with a play called The Care Home. The show was centred around members of an old people’s home putting on a talent show, with hilarious results. The audience watched as the rehearsal process unfolded, learning of the relationship of a Billy Connolly-esque Matt Davis, wooing Sam Ellis (in full drag as an elderly lady called Maggie). Alex Shean gave a hilarious portrayal of an astonishingly lazy 37 year old man who was enjoying the slow pace of life at the care home! The next play was called The Sixth Family Member, and was about a burglar (played by Elliott Garner) who had broken into a home, only to have to hide as the family returned home, watching with comic results the goings-on of Callum Theodorou (as a geeky brother), Angus Moig (as an elderly grandfather) and Finn Wallace (as a drunken dad). The piece was very clever and innovative, imagining how each family is different behind closed doors.
The penultimate piece, called The House Party, showed Jordan Scott-Ely as a bit of a loner, trying desperately to host a successful party. Michael Ball was the hotshot, and Freddie Lynd was the embarrassing dad, dancing and making the party even more awkward, with hilarious results! The final piece, Henry’s Home, was about Henry VIII and the story of his many wives. Will Brunning, the narrator, did a fantastic job as the jester. Marcus Browne played Thomas Cromwell, who was obsessed with Henry. Isaac Neale tackled the role of the big man himself, whilst James Dallas, Sam Hargreaves and Robbie Cartwright donned wigs and dresses for the roles of Katharine of Aragon, Jane Seymour and Anne Boleyn, respectively. The stage was set for a banquet at Henry’s home and the audience found the piece brilliantly funny.
Head of Drama Mrs Jenny Nunes commented that the boys did exceptionally well. ‘It’s not easy to take on comedy and do it well, but the boys have surpassed all of high expectations and really met the challenge with enthusiasm. They’ve done all of the elements of putting together a stage piece, including lighting, staging and costumes, as well as the content of the plays. Really really well done.’