Sport - Rugby School

Drama & Music
2009/10
Drama
&Music
Kilbracken House Play
I was promised a trio of sketches – but ‘sketches’ was an
inadequate word for the three playlets that made up All In The
Timing, Kilbracken’s contribution to the house play season. The
work of American writer David Ives, this was comedy of the
highest order.
In Words, Words, Words, Daniil Tarankov, Louis Bowers and James
Thorn were three monkeys sitting at typewriters. Would they
ever write Hamlet They were desperate to do so, for then they
could return to the jungle, but their captors refused to help
them. They considered taking revenge upon the man who
stood between them and their rightful heritage, but they were
racked with indecision…
Chris Palmer and Finlo Clarkson presented Sure Thing, the
disjointed tale of two strangers meeting in a restaurant. The
regular ringing of a bell caused time to leap backwards by a
few seconds, allowing the characters to have a second, third
or fourth attempt at their conversation. A number of parallel
universes were presented…
Finally, in The Philadelphia Matt Tabor, Jonnie Martin and Barny
Elmhirst fell into a world of opposites. The only way out is to ask
for the thing you don’t want, and, if you want to summon the
waitress, be very rude indeed.
All three pieces demanded a high level of technical skill from
the actors, whose performances exceeded the standards we
have come to expect from a house play. All credit, therefore, to
director James Kitchin, who got the very best out of his players
and gave us an evening to remember.
RMH
Michell House Comedy Drama
Southfield House Play
The boys of Michell House presented a programme of sketches
by Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, all written for double-acts.
These were almost universally at the risqué end of the taste
scale but they were much appreciated by a good gathering
of parents, pupils and staff. The most striking feature of the
production was that the cast numbered 37 actors, a pleasing
cross-section of the house. Particular highlights were provided
by Joe Colchester and Thomas Schafranek in effective deadpan
style, while Mr Beavan was type-cast as an eccentric Test Match
Special commentator in the vein of Brian Johnston. Jan Westad
seemed absolutely tailor-made for the role of Richard Whiteley
in a spoof Countdown sketch. Carlos Pang was a terrifyingly
clinical surgeon from the viewpoint of his poor patient, Ken
Kashiwagi. Harry Hopson and Henry Wilson-Holt played a pair
of insane yet plausible psychiatrists; Henry also played a crucial
role in directing the F Block contributions. Important production
assistance also came from David MacColl, Jamie Dujardin and
Jamie Couchman.
The event was rounded off splendidly by another well-received
double act, curry and rice.
TJD
The audience which filled OBS for Southfield’s house play was
this year treated to a spectacular performance of the classic tale
Cinderella, the likes of which has never before been seen. The
play, directed by Louise Fletcher, was an astounding success.
The fantastic script, adapted and improvised by Southfield
girls, included a range of hilarious characters. Perhaps the most
memorable of these were the ugly stepsisters, true to form in
Burberry and bling. The costumes on the whole were truly
great to behold, and I am sure they will doubtlessly inspire
further generations to bring fairy tales into the 21st century.
Mr Fletcher, Mrs Scanlon and Theo Matthews all took part in
cameo roles, whilst Mrs Phillips was once again burdened with
the job of backstage direction, as well as creating the marvellous
backdrop. A note of thanks should also be made to everyone
who helped to make the night a success, and for all the time
and effort put into costumes, props and the lighting. Audience
participation as well as house participation was at an all time
high, and the whole play was very well received. If ever one
should wonder how best to bring together funny characters,
a love story about overcoming adversity and truly shocking
costumes, they must undoubtedly come to the conclusion that
‘The play’s the thing’.
Angharad Maclellan
Stanley House Play
During the weeks leading up to the Stanley house play, the girls
involved spent many evenings devoting themselves to endless
rehearsals. The play could not have come together without the
help of a few important people: Liddy Conway, who made a
great choice of play, assigned the characters and planned
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