Issue 2 Winter 2008 (6.3 MB) - Blundell's School

S EVEN B RIDES FOR S EVEN B ROTHERSMusicalThe SchoolBy James Evans L6The beginning of each year starts with two weeks ofdedicated hard work; around thirty pupils from Year 9 to theUpper 6th hit the ground running after ten lazy weeks ofsummer holiday and put on a musical in two weeks - flat out.This year, a strong cast starring Briony Deuchar as “Milly” andAlex Miles as “Adam” put on an amusing and polishedperformance of Mercer and DePaul’s “Seven Brides for SevenBrothers”. Set in Oregon in 1850 it is the story of Adam, theeldest of seven brothers, who goes to town to get a wife.Amazingly, he succeeds, marries Milly and brings her home tothe wilds, not telling her he lives with his six uncouthbrothers! Desperate for their own wives, the brothers hear thestory about the Roman capture of the Sabine women, so pulloff their own version and kidnap their own wives.Rehearsals started with two intensedays before the start of term, learningthe chorus numbers; yes, that doesmean us guys singing and dancing! Inbetween normal school commitments,which are, at best, fairly taxing, we allmanaged to be expertly directed andchoreographed by MissSymonds and musicallydirected by Mr Barlow.The end result, combinedwith an excellentorchestra of peripateticmusicians and pupils;lighting, sound and specialeffects from the experttechnical crew; and makeup and costumes from Mrs Steeleand Mrs Corden, was, “really quite superb”.Having now performed in three such musicals, it will nevercease to amaze me quite how everyone manages to pull it off,especially seeing the missed lines and ad-libbing in the dressrehearsal! The raw adrenaline and the buzz related toperforming when a little unsure sure of your lines and lack ofsleep is such a hugely sensual experience, made extra specialwith such an amazing group of people and friends. This yearwas just so, perhaps topping my past experience withunrivalled camaraderie and a unique feeling of satisfaction atthe end of the last night.28