Combined Schools’ Shakespeare Play

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 17

Combined Schools’ Shakespeare Play

It was a happy thought to bring young people into the second Shakespeare festival This was proved at the opening performance of “A Midsummer Ni®ht”s Dream” at the Repertory Theatre last evening; for everyone, players and audience alike, enjoyed the performance The shifting of interest, from palace to forest, from courtiers to rustics and to fairies, tends to keep the play moving. There is ample work for a numerous cast: and no-one has too much to do without being given any respite

This performance offered several promising young actors a chance to shine Special mention should be made of one of the youngest members of the cast This was Brian Butcher, a 12-year-old pupil of the Thorrington Primary School, who played the long and varied role of Puck with a bright alertness that a more mature actor would have difficulty in simulating His feat in remembering so many lines without a fault was also notable.

The courtiers at the palace of Theseus, where the play opened, were all dignified, as was fitting Roger France, as Theseus, spoke bis lines forcefully. and Julie Sanderson was a graceful Hippolyta. The two young men. Lysander and’ Demetrius, were confidently presented, and always held the close attention of the audience. Raymond Caird and Bruce Clark really made something of these parts Alison Harper and Christine Bullock provided the appropriate contrast, as Hermia and Helena, although at times their voices did not carry very far into the auditorium. Another role cleverlydone was the comparatively slight one of Egeus. Here Robert Russell gave the impression of age. which is generally so hard for a boy to manage.

To turn to the lighter side of the play; everyone will

agree that. Oberon is a difficult part; and last evening Philip Woolaston was not always happy in it. Nevertheless he did well, and will doubtless do better still in succeeding performances Cheryl - Anne Kingston brought a natural talent to the role of Titania, which after all is a congenial one for a girl. Hers was. in fact, one of the most fluent interpretations seen in this production. The rustic characters greatly appealed to the boys in the cast; and the acting was full of gusto. Gerald Orchard has considerable powers of interpretation and is not afraid to let himself go. No-one knew what was going to happen next when Bottom was fairly launched upon one of his fantasies. In a slightly different manner, the scenes in the fairy bower, when Bottom was wearing his ass’s head, went just as well, although the head muffled the voice to some extent.

Another particularly entertaining performance was that of Thisbe by John Ballinger in the role of Flute, the bellows-mender Flute and Bottom made an admirable pair. Indispensable to the comedy at one stage was the Wall, through which Pyramus and Thisbe conversed. The Wall was acted in quite an original way by Gregory McClurg. The play was brightly mounted, a great range of soft colours being used in every scene. Some of the costumes were a trifle voluminous and did not make for easy movement; but in spite of this, everyone would agree that this is a fresh, attractive presentation that reflects great credit upon the director. Heath Joyce, and the members of the British Drama League, which organised this combined secondary schools’ production. —C.E.S.