Page 14 - test

Be Yourself!
......................................................................
Benji Sperring Head of Drama ......................................................................
THE QUIRK SALVATION SQUAD
With the euphoric cries of “Be Yourself!” still ringing in our ears, a drained and dazzled audience departed into the night.As the multi-coloured pyramid was dismantled, the blow-up sh de ated and the goat head-piece tucked away, cast members and audience knew that they had participated in a show like no other; an original musical with a simple and heartfelt message... and buckets of energy.
The Quirk Salvation Squad demanded a huge amount from its cast. For two hours, every one of them was onstage, ready to burst into song or dance at any moment; whether it was bursting into a gospel spiritual, a hip hop ow or a meaty emotional number, the boys gave it their all.
Zak and Alex get quirky
.....................................................................
As Quentin Creak discovered more about
his quirkiness, the audience was taken on a journey through time and space, to a realm that they never knew existed. Meanwhile, back in the real world, Quentin wrestled
with the dilemma of whether to ‘ t in’ or not. With a bonkers mix of imaginary friends, talking household appliances, dream-fragments and decrepit headmasters, the production showcased the depth of musical and theatrical talent at the Prep, whilst hopefully inspiring anyone with a spark of an idea to be creative. You never know where it might lead you...
8P on set
.....................................................................
THE REAL INSPECTOR HOUND
For the nal offering in last year’s series of Year 8 plays, the boys from 8P performed Tom Stoppard’s seminal classic, The Real Inspector Hound.
Part whodunit, part surreal meta-theatre, part comedy, the piece follows two critics (played by Henry and James) who are reviewing
‘The Murder at Muldoon Manor’, a second- rate murder mystery.With one critic lusting after the leading actress, and the other critic lusting after the head critic position at his paper, things take a turn for the worse as they are consumed by the story in a cunning and unexpected twist that has macabre results.
With the rest of the cast taking over-the-top characters, including Theo as Mrs Drudge, the help, Martin as Major Muldoon, Kian as Felicity the young ingénue, Callum as rich Lady Cynthia, and Leonardo as Simon, the reckless wag at the centre of the mystery, the boys used an expert sense of comedy and storytelling to bring this usually A-Level text to life. Mysteries abounded, plots were twisted, and a good time was had by all.
LIONHUNT!
TheYear 2 boys astounded their parents last term with an amazing performance of the children’s opera Lionhunt! ENO Baylis commissioned Lionhunt! in 2004 from composer John Webb and writer Tamsin
Collison to introduce children in Southwark to opera and the Coliseum. It tells the story of a temperamental Italian conductor, a glamorous soprano, a director and a big fat bass searching the Coliseum for their missing lead singer, Brian the Lion. On their way, they meet mice nibbling cheese and onion crisps in the stalls, glamorous cats painting their nails in the costume cupboard, gruff guard dogs in charge of security at the box of ce, watchful night owls and sibilant snakes who glide along the lighting rigs, all of whom help them nd the surprising Brian fast asleep in his star dressing room.They decide to leave Brian
to sleep and tiptoe away to the dulcet tones of Mrs Chambers accompanied beautifully by two of our visiting music staff, Jennifer Fisher and Fiona Dalzell.
The boys dazzled the audience with their fabulous story-telling skills, voices and actions. It was a huge success and warmly greeted with operatic calls of “Bravo” and “Encore” from parents and staff.
Conor and Shuen ready to hunt for Brian
.....................................................................
JOKE TESTING FACTORY
Being funny is one of the most dif cult things to teach a group of students.There are
so many variables in comedy: timbre, tone, physicality, emotion and...
...timing! So when the boys of 8H started their drama project, they had no idea about the complexity of the work they were about