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THE ALLEYNIAN 709
DRAMA & DANCE
Year 12 students took a rollercoaster ride across 1970s America in The Get Down , says Kathryn Norton-Smith A LEVEL DRAMA & THEATRE THE GET DOWN
The Get Down , an American musical drama TV series by Baz Luhrmann and Stephen Adly Guirgis, provided rich fuel for a stunning original creative adaptation from our Year 12 cohort. With many of the familiar rags-to-riches tropes associated with fairy tales, the series portrays the aspiring hip-hop musicians Shaolin Fantastic and Ezekiel Figuero in the ‘burning’ Bronx of the late 1970s as they attempt to break apart from the narratives of failure that are predetermined for disenfranchised communities. The ensemble chose to explore and apply many of Kneehigh’s techniques to create a piece of magical realism which was universally witty, dazzling and provocative. The themes of aspiration, music and freedom were laid bare, with some terrific set pieces, including conjuring the landscape of the Bronx with parkour and graffiti, the Disco Divas at Fat Annie’s club and grooving at The Get Down with slick bars and hip-hop beats. There were many sharply drawn witty caricatures allowing the actors to show their multi-roling ability. Flynn Laban was notable as the vain and hapless Cadillac as well as the
hustler Papa Fuerte; Charlie Davies impressed as Grandmaster Flash in pursuit of The Pakoussa; and Arjaan Amos Miah entertained as the redoubtable teacher Ms Green and the notorious club owner Fat Annie, languishing atop of the piano while all around her fawned and fêted. Mohau Jolobe-Pike dazzled as the thrill-seeking, unpredictable and eccentric, but above all enigmatic, Shaolin Fantastic, with a skilful command of the stage, and Miles Camilleri delivered a moving and nuanced portrayal of our protagonist, Zeke. This was a devised ensemble piece over which the performers had total ownership and they lit up the EAT – thanks due too to Carol Morris’ great LX – leaving us wanting more and desperate to get up and dance along with them to their well-chosen and terrific musical underscore. They were clear with their message that their creative adaptation of The Get Down sought to inspire all who dream to succeed in their goals or to break past obstacles in their lives, and they ignited the space with their joy and hope for the future.
This was a devised ensemble piece over which the performers had total ownership
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