REACTION HOUSE PLAYS FESTIVAL Treading the boards at REACTION
The REACTION House Plays Festival is an opportunity for interested boys to challenge their inner thespian and, whether in a comedy or tragedy or something in between, take part in the arts.
There is always plenty of adrenaline and nervous energy spilling out into the crowd and a guaranteed great night for performers and audience alike. REACTION took place on Thursday 14 and Tuesday 19 September 2017 in the Assembly Hall, which was packed for both occasions. While Year 12 student Harrison Voice accepted his accolade
without feeling the need to give a long and tearful speech, he was nevertheless thrilled to win the Best Actor award. As one of the leads in Condell’s House production The Least Offensive Play in the Whole Darn World by Jonathan Rand, Harrison relished the chance to show off his acting chops.
I absolutely love acting, love performing – always have.”
Harrison credits the play’s director, Year 13 student Raiyan Azlan, with bringing out the best in the Condell’s House boys and says he believes House Plays is one of the most important events on the school calendar. “It’s great to see people who don’t usually get involved in this type of thing get stuck in, have fun, and find out they love it. It’s so good to see people get out of their comfort zone and give it a go.” Harper House chose an original play, October Offensive by Year 13 student Jacob Banks, for REACTION. “To be perfectly honest, they chose it because I pushed for it,” says Jacob. “No one really knew how the play was going to turn out, and early on in the rehearsal process there was a sense of uneasiness. However, in the end I managed to give them a clear picture of my vision.” Inspired by the hymn “I Vow to Thee, My Country” and the experiences of College Old Boys at the Battle of Passchendaele in October 1917, Jacob says he wrote the script with House Plays in mind. “I knew I wanted it performed now, mostly because of the significance
“Although I’ve never been in any major school productions,
Christ’s College Canterbury
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