Lower and Middle School
In September, as the heart of Lower School Drama Club moved into the Lower Fifth, it became clear that something had to be done. Middle School Drama Club was born, whilst the girls brought a new wave of enthusiasm for the Lower School club.
We became involved in a BBC project based on the Asian Network radio drama, Silver Street.
With the help of an energetic schools worker from the BBC, the two clubs combined to work on their own radio drama. New communities emerged, with their own individual charm and local ‘personalities’. Then followed the script, and finally the recording at the Mailbox studio of the BBC. The pupils were exemplary, recording in the studio used for Silver Street and The Archers. The result was superb: two CDs of great audio drama.
Singular individual success came in the form of George Haynes. At auditions for the cast of
‘Great Expectations’ at the RSC, George’s burgeoning talent was ‘spotted’; he played the young Herbert Pocket in a highly successful run in Stratford from October to February. In the Spring term, we ran a competition for scripting a short fairy tale. This was the origin of the Lower School Production, in the creative hands of Anthony Avery. Even at this early stage, growing talent and wit were apparent.
Meanwhile the Middle School auditioned for the forthcoming production of John Godbur’s Teechers. England games were missed for rehearsals, and the dedication and progress of the young actors was remarkable. The hilarious script was delivered with considered timing and superb mannerisms, leading to a highly enjoyable evening. George Haynes shone again in the lead role of Nixon, a harassed drama teacher in a ‘special priority area’ Comprehensive. He was supported by Tom Foxall, Richard Brough and Mycroft Halliwell-Ewen, as the three pupils most affected by Nixon’s presence, and by Adam Khimji as Oggy, the school thug. A delightfully extravert Jeremy Mirza shone as the eccentric Headmistress. This was undoubtedly a showcase for considerable talent and a fitting and triumphant end to the first year of the Middle School Drama Club.
Mrs R L Lockyer