O liver - The London Oratory School

. The cast’s act-
Mr Terry
This year’s Lower School Drama Club production was Duck Soup, an adaptation of the popular
Marx Brothers’ 1933 film. Twenty-two boys took par t in the general mayhem which ensues after
Rufus T Firefly takes over the running of Freedonia. Having learnt the mannerisms of the original
Groucho role to a tee, Benedict Townsend’s sharp delivery meant no punch line was missed,
enhanced by the dead-pan reactions of Mrs Teasdale, played by Edward Collier (1S). The hilarious
antics of Chicolini and Pinky played by twins, Martin and Daniel Freely (2F - who swopped roles
half-way through) were the audience’s favourites, both boys mastering the cod-Italian accent and
mute anarchy of their characters, but the enthusiasm and sense of fun of the whole cast made for
an enter taining and energetic show.
Mr Ashenden
Written and directed by
James Machell (2S)
DUCK SOUP
MURDER UNDER THE VEIL OF GOD
Murder Under the Veil of God explored both the events leading up to, and the aftermath, of the
murder of Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral. It was a remarkable achievement in that it
was not only written by James (in the 2nd form) but also rehearsed and brought to performance
by him with minimal help from teachers.
His young actors from the 1 st form were Anthony Carter (1M), Henry Kirby (1F), Ciaran Griffiths
(1M), Justin Blagrove (1F), Benjamin Tshibangu (1F), Kyle Farren (1F), James Dillon and from the
2 nd form Sean McGurk (2S) and Joe Macauley (2F). The very positive response from the audience
will give James much encouragement – not that he needs it; he has already written another
play set in the time of the Spanish Civil War!
Mr Gifford