One highlight of the summer term was the muchanticipated 6.2 A level drama piece, which was written
by the group themselves and performed before a small
audience and the examiner.
Although there were many aspects of the play which wowed,
the first was certainly the set. Upon entering the unrecognizable
theatre, we were transported into a mental hospital - or possibly the
depths of someone's mind
- with cold white surfaces
surrounding us completely.
The dazzling white
masterpiece was created
by Annie Haden, and the
set was complemented
well by the lighting of Bond
Carter, as he used different
colours and ways of lighting
(including projection and
back-lighting) to create
a variety of powerful
atmospheres.
The actors' commitment to
the show was impressive,
as their performance began
even as we entered the
theatre: we were asked to
wear blue plastic covers
over our shoes, hand in all
mobile phones and have our
names listed, as if we really
were entering an asylum.
The cast navigated the
potentially difficult topic
of mental illness expertly. There was an effective and believable
performance from Joe Merriweather as Daniel, a boy suffering from
dissociative identity disorder, a topic clearly well researched by the
cast. Another memorable performance came from Emily Albery, as
she took on the role of the chillingly patronizing Rachel
Harvey (Doctor of Psychiatry) - clearly taking inspiration from
Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. We still have
nightmares from that sickly sweet smile.
The other members of the cast, Max Molle, Morgan Smith, Paddy
Cartwright and Ellie Maclean, primarily played the roles of the
contrasting voices in Daniel's mind. These were all executed
with such energy and dedication that the outcome was shocking
to the audience, and enabled us to understand how Daniel
is ultimately torn between and controlled by all of them. At other
points, the actors were able to switch seamlessly to different
characters - such as other inhabitants of the mental hospital - and
this diversity really proved their acting ability to the audience and,
it seems, the examiner.
Another notable aspect of the
piece was the use of physical
acting and synchronisation,
as the actors performed in
slow motion or identically
at key points; this reflected
the hours of practice and the
perfectionism which they
gave to the production.
This was a piece which had
a significant impact on the
lucky few who were able to
experience it. The audience
left the theatre in a state of
shock, astonishment, unease
and, most of all, awe at what
this talented group managed
to achieve.
Reviewed by Maddy Parr and
Alicia Mileham
Joe Merriweather and Emily Albery
Joe Merriweather
The tension is ratcheted up
Paddy Cartwright
White Noise
Drama 93