DRAMA Setting the scene for Senior Drama
After a huge roller-coaster of a year in 2020 because of the moving feast of possibilities that Covid-19 brought us, the Drama department changed tack in 2021 under a new Director, Hannah Clarkson.
“ Evita was epic and almost a year in the making, with many twists and turns along the way. It made us experts in live-streaming technology and taught us a great deal about flexibility and problem solving. “As we moved into 2021, we wanted to provide the opportunity for as many people as possible to get back on stage and be able to do so in a way that could proceed under potential restrictions at any moment,” says Hannah. “So, we decided on a double-bill of Oedipus Rex and As You Like It – two very different but equally challenging scripts for the seniors to tackle.
“The two productions were performed on alternate nights in May, sharing the Old Boys’ Theatre for the week-long season. This called for serious knowledge and ingenuity from Grant Hadley and the stage crew, as they had to change over the set each night to prepare for the following production. Only those in the community lucky enough to see both plays would know their clever approach. “It was a huge task for our dedicated stage crew, who rose to the challenge and gained incredible experience along the way.
“As a new member of this amazing department, I am grateful to Robyn Peers, Nikki Bleyendaal, and Peter Rutherford from Rangi Ruru Girls’ School for their tireless energy, endless creativity and inspiring teaching throughout the process. “Sitting in the audience and witnessing the skills, maturity, genuine joy and new friendships on the stage left us with a sense of pride, wonderful memories and a desire to know what might be next.”
Christ’s College Canterbury
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