Drama
Review of ‘Oliver’
When John Ridgeway, Sally Ewins and I decided to do a musical, none of us were quite prepared for what lay ahead. Of course we knew that it was going to involve a lot of work, all performances do, but this particular production was on a scale that none of us had ever done before.
Casting was the hardest part. During the auditions it became clear that there was such a wealth of talent between the two year groups. Sally was impressed by the level of singing and I had already seen their dramatic potential in class. I was proud to see so many children come forward to audition, it is not an easy thing to do but was, I believe, testament to the children’s’ unwavering commitment to the project. It took Sally, John and I over a week to cast the children. That’s how good they were.
Then the rehearsals began. We started with the songs. Sally ran those rehearsals, teaching the company and the soloists the musical numbers. I am not a musician, but even I could tell some of the musical arrangements were tricky. Each week the children turned up and sang, and as the weeks went by, the songs started to take shape. It was at this point that we decided to introduce a few drama rehearsals. So, whilst Sally rehearsed the songs in the Music Room, I directed the scenes in the Barn. Throughout these weeks, the children were amazing. It was a long term but the children remained committed and focused.
The Christmas holidays came, offering a break for all. All that is, except me. I spent most of my days at home on ebay, searching for top hats and Dickensian style tail coats. But don’t feel sorry for me, I loved every minute of it!
Returning after the long break did throw up a few problems. Some children had forgotten what they had been taught the term before and so we did have to use a little time going over old ground. But it wasn’t long before we were back on schedule again. Just to be extra sure, we threw in two Saturday rehearsals. These gave us the chance to bring the whole cast together, something which is very difficult to do during a busy school week.
As the big night approached, everyone was working hard to bring the whole project together. The Matrons were frantically sewing and hemming, Sally Middleton and Isobel Gibson were painting the set, Sue Hunter was in the Barn programming the lighting sequences and Cathy Avery was bravely climbing ladders to hang a whole array of exciting things from the stage. There was outside help too in the form of Mrs Perry, who kindly arranged a sewing cir
cle to help with the costumes.
There is always that moment in every drama teacher’s life when he or she starts to wonder whether they have bitten off more than they can chew. I must admit, I was starting to panic towards the end. But my colleagues, who are always so supportive, helped me in any way they could, even making me tea and saving me slices of cake.
When the big night arrived, the children seemed to come alive. As they passed through wardrobe, hair and make-up, the atmosphere around the school was electric. I was amazed at how focused they were despite being completely overwhelmed by nerves and excitement.
Then the house lights went down and the stage lights came up. I had done all I could, it was in their hands now. As I sat backstage and listened to them perform, I was astonished at how good they sounded. They were so organised and made it look easy. I am incredibly proud of every single child who took part, no matter how big or small their part, because a takes a real team effort to pull off something like that. I have to admit that I was sad when it was all over, but hope that they will n ever forget the experience and carry a little bit of it with them always.
When John Ridgeway, Sally Ewins and I decided to do a musical, none of us were quite prepared for what lay ahead. Of course we knew that it was going to involve a lot of work, all performances do, but this particular production was on a scale that none of us had ever done before.
Casting was the hardest part. During the auditions it became clear that there was such a wealth of talent between the two year groups. Sally was impressed by the level of singing and I had already seen their dramatic potential in class. I was proud to see so many children come forward to audition, it is not an easy thing to do but was, I believe, testament to the children’s’ unwavering commitment to the project. It took Sally, John and I over a week to cast the children. That’s how good they were.
Then the rehearsals began. We started with the songs. Sally ran those rehearsals, teaching the company and the soloists the musical numbers. I am not a musician, but even I could tell some of the musical arrangements were tricky. Each week the children turned up and sang, and as the weeks went by, the songs started to take shape. It was at this point that we decided to introduce a few drama rehearsals. So, whilst Sally rehearsed the songs in the Music Room, I directed the scenes in the Barn. Throughout these weeks, the children were amazing. It was a long term but the children remained committed and focused.
The Christmas holidays came, offering a break for all. All that is, except me. I spent most of my days at home on ebay, searching for top hats and Dickensian style tail coats. But don’t feel sorry for me, I loved every minute of it!
Returning after the long break did throw up a few problems. Some children had forgotten what they had been taught the term before and so we did have to use a little time going over old ground. But it wasn’t long before we were back on schedule again. Just to be extra sure, we threw in two Saturday rehearsals. These gave us the chance to bring the whole cast together, something which is very difficult to do during a busy school week.
As the big night approached, everyone was working hard to bring the whole project together. The Matrons were frantically sewing and hemming, Sally Middleton and Isobel Gibson were painting the set, Sue Hunter was in the Barn programming the lighting sequences and Cathy Avery was bravely climbing ladders to hang a whole array of exciting things from the stage. There was outside help too in the form of Mrs Perry, who kindly arranged a sewing cir
cle to help with the costumes.There is always that moment in every drama teacher’s life when he or she starts to wonder whether they have bitten off more than they can chew. I must admit, I was starting to panic towards the end. But my colleagues, who are always so supportive, helped me in any way they could, even making me tea and saving me slices of cake.
When the big night arrived, the children seemed to come alive. As they passed through wardrobe, hair and make-up, the atmosphere around the school was electric. I was amazed at how focused they were despite being completely overwhelmed by nerves and excitement.
Then the house lights went down and the stage lights came up. I had done all I could, it was in their hands now. As I sat backstage and listened to them perform, I was astonished at how good they sounded. They were so organised and made it look easy. I am incredibly proud of every single child who took part, no matter how big or small their part, because a takes a real team effort to pull off something like that. I have to admit that I was sad when it was all over, but hope that they will n ever forget the experience and carry a little bit of it with them always.
Rebecca Checkley-Mills
Carswell Manor
Faringdon
Oxfordshire
SN7 8PT
(01367) 870700