by performing excerpts in the hopes of selection for the National Festival, where theatrical workshops and performances are at the heart of the competition. A Midsummer Night’s Dream features a merry band of workmen who endeavour to put on a play worthy of performance at the Duke’s upcoming wedding. Settling on Pyramus and Thisbe , things quickly go awry when Bottom is transformed into a donkey, and the rehearsals are abandoned. Eventually Bottom returns restored and the players must somehow stage this ridiculous play of ‘tragical mirth’. Naturally, nothing goes to plan. Ciaran kept things traditional in terms of costuming and used a minimal set of simple chairs with only a few important props. Alex Johnston opened the performance as Duke Theseus, speaking with his new wife, Hippolyta (Henry Hiatt), and the straight-laced Philostrate (Noah Yee) about which play to see. The Prologue was a highlight, with Charlie Wood showcasing his incredible enthusiasm for storytelling and gaining significant praise from the judges. Stalwart of College’s Sheilah Winn, Maurice Gillard, put in a hilarious performance as the over-the-top Pyramus (Bottom), alongside the exceptionally effeminate Thisbe (Oscar Stove). Angus Vincent (Snout/Wall) also deserves some accolades, having efficiently picked up an extra role in the 11th hour, learning all the lines, and then having the biggest speech skipped over in performance. Such
a shame, but Angus naturally handled it with grace and humour. James Burt (Starveling/Moonshine) and Tinura Gajamange (Snug/Lion) also added to the comedy, with interjections from the drunken grooms, Lysander (Nisal Pathirana) and Demetrius (Daniel Wilson), and their Lords, James Whitaker and Robert Kidd. The hours and energy these students gave to A Midsummer Night’s Dream earned them an award for “Most Joyful Moment” for their traditional Shakespearean jig at the end which devolved into chaos as Wall knocked everyone over. Huge thanks to Chris Waugh for his choreography, guidance, supervision and enthusiasm for this year’s entry to the festival. While this year was made particularly challenging with people pulling out because of Covid-19 (we originally had two student-directed pieces to enter), College certainly met every challenge head on. It was also fantastic to be able to experience the proper festival atmosphere this year in all its live theatrical glory, and heartening to see we have an incredibly promising group of thespians ready to tackle 2023.
Nikki Bleyendaal Teacher-in-Charge
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Register 2022 Culture
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