Category: Drama
Reviewed by Tassy Humphreys - October 2010
Expectations were high - I have never seen such a good turnout for a school play; people were crammed onto the steps or hanging over the gallery.
There was a lot to appreciate. Firstly the set, a Florentine palace in the middle of the Ellis Theatre was impressive, and I heard one girl remark, that it “wouldn't have looked out of place in the West End”. Nor did the acting disappoint. I have to commend all the actors; their performances were compelling and the effort put in to learn all their lines and attend all the practices (even the 10 hour ones), amongst all their school work has to be applauded.The music, from Lady Gaga to Marilyn Manson, was fun and innovative, and drew the audience into the play.
Although the dialogue was in traditional, Jacobean English, I was captivated by the whole colorful fashion industry setting. What was different about this production, compared to other school plays, was its fluidity which made a deeply complex play easier to comprehend, and exciting to watch.The contrast of old and new was spectacularly portrayed, Mr Kenworthy must be congratulated, on directing an epic production, that won’t be forgotten. The heels, the extravagant dresses, the camera flashes, I just wonder what Middleton would have thought!