DRAMA
LOCKDOWN
The drama department achieved remarkable things during remote learning in the Lent Term , embracing projects of ambition and quality , despite the obvious challenges of a subject that does not lend itself to online learning . First up , the Third Years produced a brilliant range of original characters , written in the form of monologues and duologues that they
LEARNING ! conceived , crafted , directed and performed as recordings .
The A level pupils toiled tirelessly in the collaborative creation and imaginary direction of their practical exam piece Lungs , returning to the studio in the final weeks of term to rapidly stage this athletic and detailed piece of devised work . The GCSE pupils were deep into rehearsal for their exam pieces , and staged these scripted extracts in April .
EXTRACTS FROM
Lower School performed their showcase , Extracts from Alice . A cast and crew of fifty-five pupils , across three bubbles , brought to life Lewis Carroll ’ s classic tales and transported audiences into the surreal , imaginative worlds of Alice in Wonderland and Alice Through the Looking Glass .
Set in a dreary attic room , Alice discovers a book and takes us on a magical journey of discovery . Alice played by Katy Brown , Lula Allams and Edie Morris ; all three portraying the ever-inquisitive Alice with great skill .
The set design , which comprised of a giant chessboard floor , a wardrobe , and moveable doors , was the perfect backdrop for Alice ’ s adventures to unfold . The White Rabbit ( George Cazzalini , Lucy Coles and Molly Stones ) and mysterious Cheshire Cat ( Lydia Cazzalini ) popped out of old trunks , whilst Tweedledee and Tweedledum ( Dalton Rodmell and Kian Doherty ) whirled Alice through a maze of mirrors into ‘ The Looking Glass .’ A host of eccentric , quirky characters from the past burst through the wardrobe doors , and the Mad Hatter ( Noah Pym and Charles Wright ) and fearsome Queen of Hearts , ( Darcy Halton , Freya Shephard and Esme Regan ) brought a dark , foreboding presence to the stage .
( Samuel Smart ), who took a tumble as the vicious Queen of Hearts rampaged across the chessboard in pursuit of Alice !
Stand out ensemble scenes ranged from a steampunk lobster quadrille dance , a tea party to die for , and an umbrellaspinning carriage for the procession of the White Queen ( Hattie Cobb ). This was creative , storytelling theatre at its best , and all involved revelled in escaping down a dark hole into a technicolour world of imagination !
We look forward to inviting live audiences into the theatre next year , to share our next dramatic journey .
Tingling with joy and laughter , we were graced with the quirky insane Duchess ( expertly played by Anna Falkingham and Charlotte Shephard ). Equally impressive , was Laura Brooks as the haughty caterpillar , and the eccentric Humpty Dumpty
38 THE POCKLINGTONIAN