SENIOR SCHOOL
Jesus Christ Superstar
Senior Drama production
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber,
Lyrics by Tim Rice
By arrangement with
Origin™ Theatrical on behalf of
THE REALLY USEFUL GROUP LIMITED
Directed by Jane Diamond
Musical Direction by Kieran Hurley
TThe 2017 Senior Drama production of the
musical Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by
Jane Diamond, was a wonderful success
with a dynamic cast consisting of Guildford
Grammar School boys and Perth College
girls, an outstanding band and memorable
performances by the leads. Under the
expertise of Music Director Mr Kieran Hurley,
the band members and cast started learning
the score and songs part way through Term
1, with dance sequences, blocking and
characterisation developing throughout
Term 2. By Term 3 and opening night the
performers had been working intensively for
many months.
The style of the production was set in the
late 1960s with psychedelic colours and
patterns. The set design and costumes
created by Marjorie de Caux created a visual
feast for the audience. Coupled with a
challenging but well known score, the dance
numbers were high energy and reflective of
the social changes evident in the late 1960s.
Aiden McLaughlin (12He) playing the lead
role of Jesus Christ, conveyed a depth of
character and sang each song with distinct
nuances and feeling, giving an outstanding
and memorable performance. Duke Gordon
(11St) played the troubled and deeply
conflicted role of Judas Iscariot with intensity
and conviction, singing his songs with
tremendous power and energy, true to the
rock style of this demanding musical. Well
known songs such as I Don’t Know How
to Love Him and Everything’s Alright were
sung to perfection by the incredibly talented
Brook Rego who played Mary Magdalene.
Harry Weston (12He) stole the show with
his white suited, billionaire styled Herod, as
did Dylan Caporn (10St) as the conflicted
Pontius Pilate who realizes too late the
decision he has made. Caiphius was played
superbly with style and control by Lachlan
Robertson (12Be), his detail correcting side
kick Annas, was played in Machiavellian style
by Luke Osborne (10Be) and Simon was
played by Christopher Cowcher (11Ha).
The chorus played the multiple roles of
followers, market sellers, temple dwellers and
18
crowd peoples, performing choreography
while negotiating a multi-leveled set and
singing! Jesus Christ Superstar was a
spectacular production made possible by
the creative giants of Kieran Hurley ( Musical
Director), Quentin Edmonds (Music Teacher
and band member), Marjorie de Caux
Costume designer and coordinator, Dee
Perry from Illusions Make Up and Design,
Paul Cairns Sound and Theatre Technician,
Damien Hanson Lighting Designer and
Operator, Bronwyn Sprogowski and Mark
Underwood professional singers, Annie
Boehm Arts Administration Officer and
the incredible efforts of the Guildford Arts
Support group; Shelley Robertson, Michelle
Osborne, Bettina Bowling, Kylie Shephard
and others.
Theatre Bytes No Man’s Land
Year 10 Drama
A group of dedicated Year 10 students
worked with professional theatre director
Miles Openshaw and Guildford Grammar
School drama teacher Selinna Forward
on a selection of brief play excerpts from
contemporary playwrights. Theatre Bytes is
an opportunity for students to hone their
acting craft, focusing on characterization,
text, language and performance skills with
minimalistic set, props and costumes.
Texts range from Theatre of the Absurd
to gritty contemporary realism, allowing
students to gain a better understanding
of form and style in performance. Miles
Openshaw’s expertise in directing young
people’s theatre has been a great privilege for
the boys with all students showing worthy
potential and talent in drama for the future.
Lord of the Flies
Junior Drama Production
Adapted for the Stage by Nigel Williams
The Junior Drama Production of Lord of
the Flies was held in the DLD on 16 and 17
November. Rehearsals started in Term 3, with
an enthusiastic cast of Year 7-9 students
finding their feet with their characters,
learning movement choreography and
lines. This play tells the story of school boys
marooned on a deserted island after a plane
crash, to find themselves having to survive
without adults. The task of not relinquishing
to savagery becomes impossible for most of
the boys with devastating outcomes.
Ms Jane Diamond
Head of Drama and Art Faculty