The cast of our Senior School Christmas production have been praised for their ‘amazing talent’ and ‘brilliant comedic timing’ by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA).
Set in an English vicarage in the 1940’s, See How They Run is a typically British farce with timeless fast paced slapstick comedy, impossibly hilarious situations and mistaken identities.
Attending our final performance on Friday 6th December, Catherine Dixey, NODA East Representative, said: “Farce is an extremely difficult genre to produce – it has to be slick, fast paced but with incredible timing, and these young pupils certainly pulled this off to a very high standard.
“The scene opened with Ida the maid (played by Margot S) – a delightful character who keeps up her Cockney accent throughout. Margot gives an impressive performance of a very determined, strong young lady who won’t be pushed around by anyone and ends up hauling one of the characters across the stage and bundles her into the wardrobe. Miss Skillon played by Darcy G is that character – a teetotal, flower arranging spinster who actually spends much of her onstage time flat out, either intoxicated or being knocked out. Darcy is totally believable during the scene she is hauled around the stage.
“Lucia S-L is the Reverend’s wife, Penelope Toop – an excitable, dramatic, character which comes across totally naturally. She becomes exasperated trying to sort out misunderstandings, but the lies and deception get tangled up with the truth, leaving everyone totally confused.
“Daniel B is extremely well cast as The Reverend Toop, as he attempts to keep up their image as a respectable couple in the community – but chaos quickly ensues when Corporal Clive Winton (played by Oscar W) arrives. Oscar – who we have now seen in several productions – is an excellent actor and again this role he plays with total conviction. Malachi F plays the eccentric Bishop of Lax who is absolutely perplexed by this whole confusion of characters.
“These three young men end up frantically racing around the stage – in one door, jumping over a body lying on the stage, and out the other door. They are all impressive and full of energy with unrelenting enthusiasm.
“Later we see The Intruder (played by Raf K) and Rev. Arthur Humphrey (played by Ella O) also dressed as vicars to add to the confusion, before Sergeant Towers (played by Charlie H) tries to get to the truth.
“Director, Ted Moore, has put together this very talented cast who all brought out the best of the comedy with brilliant timing. They are amazing as they maintained the tempo with the vast amounts of difficult and confusing dialogue without any hesitation. There are a couple fight scenes involving several of the characters which are extremely convincing, well-choreographed and acted.
“The set, as always for these college productions, was ingenious as a box set, with leather Chesterfield sofa and fireplace looking authentically decorated for the period. I’m sure the audience, along with myself, were left wondering if the wardrobe had a false back when several characters were all pushed into it at the same time.
“These young actors had obviously put a massive amount of time and energy into their demanding roles which they achieve very professionally. You know you have succeeded when the entire audience doesn’t stop laughing from start to finish. Well done to you all.”
About NODA:
Founded in 1899, NODA is the national body that represents amateur theatre. They support and inspire amateur theatre with the vision that amateur theatre is successful and sustainable, providing a range of opportunities for people to develop their skills, and enjoy taking part, at all levels. NODA’s mission is to support the education and information needs of individuals and organisations with high quality services and products that contribute to the success of amateur theatre as well as encouraging appreciation of the sector by participants and audiences alike.
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