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Moving, comic and inspiring by turns, and an impassioned argument for the value of theatre itself, Wertenbaker’s script provides any cast with unusual challenges and opportunities.
The Marlborough cast responded with fierce commitment and real flair. Against a backdrop of soaring rope and canvas, on a floor tattooed with a stunning aboriginal painting designed and executed by Rosanna Mallinson, there were performances of remarkable quality by pupils from every year group.
One of the youngest was Harry Scott, who created a characterisation of real depth and subtlety as ‘Ketch’ Freeman, a role which would challenge a professional twice his age. Only a little older, and performing equally demanding roles with great maturity, were Tom Bailey as the haunted midshipman Harry Brewer and Josh Allott as pickpocket and hopelessly misguided actor Robert Sideway. Among the eldest were Lucy Chiswell, Tallulah Brown, Ali Dowling and Seraphina d’Arby, who gave exceptional performances as the four convict women for whom participation in The Recruiting Officer is a particularly redeeming experience.
And if Farquhar’s play was redeeming for the convicts, Wertenbaker’s was evidently inspiring for the College’s inmates: Seraphina d’Arby (‘Duckling Smith’) wrote eloquently in the ‘NewsSheet’ about the pleasure and exhilaration of the process (and the depression of its passing), and student reviewer Gervase Poulden described being “enlightened, challenged, amused and moved” and leaving the performance “fulfilled, entertained and eager for more”.
As Arthur Phillip, the enlightened governor of the convict colony (played with sensitive detail and insight by Harry Kershaw) says of The Recruiting Officer’s impact: “It seems to be having miraculous effects already”. |