Drama at Durlston Court

Drama Report 2008-9

Drama continued to flourish throughout the year, culminating in a middle school performance of Jonah-man Jazz for two nights as part of the ‘Song and Dance’ show followed by an entertaining and atmospheric senior school production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

Particularly worthy of mentions here are Zoe Merry as Mercutio and Theo James (Capulet), both pupils from year 5 they produced very impressive performances. Emily Wilson also stood out in her role as Juliet’s nurse and Nick Barker bravely took on the lead again in his final year at the school.

In the first term, the annual year 7 pantomime, ‘Cinderella Meets High School Musical in Flip Flops’ was a definite highlight. The cast was huge this year- 22, but they all squeezed onto the music school stage to entertain a boisterous and enthusiastic post-Christmas lunch crowd. Harrison Hughes and Max White very much enjoyed their roles as ugly sisters Verruca and Nausea and Toby Ashfield was a dashing Prince. Mr. Cole nearly stole the show as the coach (making his first appearance on stage in all his time at the school... an untapped talent)

In March another visit from ‘Shakespeare and Company’, a local performing group, was great fun and highly informative. They worked with years 4 and 5 for 1 ½ hour sessions each, producing and acting, this time, to fit in with the summer production, a very lively ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

The third year 6 public speaking competition was jointly won by Anna Cooper (Hong Kong) and Sam Scarratt (deer), with a special mention to Adele Caines (Bahrain) and Millie Clark (cats).

Drama prizes this year were awarded as follows: Ben Edwards received the ‘New Milton Talking Newspaper’ English speaking cup particularly for his role as Friar Lawrence in ‘Romeo and Juliet’; Jasmine Van den Bogaerde was awarded the drama progress prize for jointly taking on the lead in the summer production. Finally Caroline Elphick gained the Tony Hancock Senior Drama Prize not only for this year, but for her key roles as Dodger in ‘Oliver’ and Jasmine in ‘Aladdin’ during her time at the school.

Finally, following the success of Elena Wilson’s Canford drama scholarship last year, it was notable that several pupils opted for Drama scholarships this year, with excellent results: Ben Edwards, as part of his all-rounder award to Millfield School and as part of his all-rounder to Bryanston (with hockey). Also drama scholarships were offered to Annabelle Porter from Talbot Heath and Caroline Elphick as part of her all-round scholarship from Talbot Heath.

R.Fulton