E x tremism
To kick-start the Year 11 double bill, the first cast of
Year 11 students explored the very current topic of
terrorism in Anders Lustgarten’s play Extremism.
The cast’s ensemble work expertly created tension
and captured the descent into violence. When
Rachel and Melina removed the hijab from Suhayla
(played by Olivia Scott-Smith) without her consent,
The play follows a group of students who are left
the play hit a climax, creating an extremely
alone in their classroom after their teacher calls the
uncomfortable environment that was difficult for
police to take one of their number, Jamal, away, in
the audience to watch. The sudden interruption of
accordance with the government’s Prevent policy.
Samuel (Max Sabin), which silenced the characters,
Shocked and suspicious, the students begin to respond
was immensely powerful.
with changes in their behaviour towards one another.
The play’s political themes were very thought-
The cast seamlessly captured the madness of
provoking, and the cast gave an excellent
extremism through their exploration of the characters’
performance, keeping the audience engrossed
increasing cruelty. Rachel (played by Sasha Ecclestone)
and creating an incredibly uncomfortable, tense
and Melina (Farrah Ziv-Guest) were the leaders of this
atmosphere.
behaviour, and both actors convincingly conveyed the
toxic mixture of nastiness tinged with extremism.
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PERFORMING ARTS