The Owl 2020

The Owl 2020
Drama in School
Drama in School
Oisin was required at every rehearsal for two
and a half months before the curtain went up
mid-November: his enthusiasm and
dedication was inspiring and it was a joy to
watch him flourish in the role.
A SERVANT TO TWO MASTERS
The Autumn term saw the Senior Dramatic
Society tackle the Commedia Dell’Arte
classic A Servant to Two Masters. Written by
Italian playwright Carlo Goldoni in 1746 and
adapted for modern audiences by British
writer Lee Hall in 1999, A Servant to Two
Masters was the first scripted version of
Commedia dell’arte, the improvised physical
tradition of comedy, popular in Europe
between the 16 th and 18 th centuries. Set in
Venice, the play follows the fortunes of
Truffaldino Battachio, a mostly wellmeaning
and somewhat underfed servant
who, on a mission to earn a little extra cash,
takes on two masters at the same time!
Complications arise as he endeavours to keep
the knowledge of each master a secret from
the other with some hilarious results. As a set
text for A Level Drama and Theatre, I knew
the potential this fast-paced show would have
on creating a magical theatrical experience.
After two days of auditions, our cast of thirty
four were ready to breathe fresh life into these
classic characters.
The principal cast was led by Oisin Gaffey
(MVI) who played the role of Truffaldino.
Starring in nearly every single scene meant
Able support was provided by veterans of the
Academy stage, Lorcan Convery (MVI) and
Aoife Bennett (MVI) who starred as
Truffaldino’s masters Florindo and Beatrice,
who in a plot twist are lost lovers in desperate
search of one another! Others making a return
to the stage included Niamh Rogan (LVI) as
feisty servant Smeraldina; Eve Henderson
(LVI) as pompous know-it-all Dr Lombardi;
Anna Midgley (MVI) as local innkeeper
Brighella; and Stuart Rea (LVI) as one half of
the self-absorbed lovers, Silvio.
Rounding out the cast were newcomers Ross
Johnston (LVI) as Pantaloon, the miserly
head of an aristocratic family, and Jayne
Kennedy (V) as his spoilt daughter and the
object of Silvio’s affections, Clarice.
The spirit of the original production was kept
alive as in true commedia style, some scenes
were rewritten so as many talented actors
could be cast as possible. This was no more
evident than in Act One’s climactic dinner
party scene where Truffaldino attempts to
serve both masters food at the same time.
This extract is notoriously difficult to stage,
but our exceptional cast of waiters made it
look easy through their flawless
choreography and teamwork.
A special mention must go to Cuann
McAuley (LVI) who, in his scene stealing
turn as elderly waiter Caecilius, paid homage
to traditional commedia by using his
acrobatic skills to hilarious and surprising
effect! Whether a major character or a
member of the ensemble, all cast members
worked tirelessly during rehearsals and were
integral to the success of the production.
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