Three of the Island’s secondary schools are to take part in a plays festival from July 15 to 17 at the Gaiety Theatre ahead of the week-long NDFA (National Drama Festivals Association) British Festival of Winning Plays starting on July 20.
Students from Ballakermeen High School, Castle Rushen High School and Ramsey Grammar School will be performing and working backstage at the theatre in a non-competitive celebration of drama, sponsored by the Isle of Man Arts Council in support of Island of Culture 2014.
Ballakermeen High School chose Too Fastby Douglas Maxwell. Drama teacher Stephen Craige outlined the plot:
‘Sensation Nation is a vocal group founded and led by the unstoppable DD. Her grand plan is for the group to storm next year’s Britain’s Got Talent. But first they need a gig, and more importantly a heartbreaking backstory that will win them votes later on down the line. So she’s booked them in to sing at a funeral. And not just any funeral either. Sensation Nation is to sing at the funeral of Ali Monroe, a girl from their school who was killed in a car crash.
‘Too Fast is an ensemble comedy for young performers with a strong emotional heart and a huge theatrical reveal in the final scene. It was originally produced as part of National Theatre Connections 2011.’
Looking ahead to the festival he said:
‘We are delighted and very grateful to be given the chance to take part in the schools’ play festival at the Gaiety Theatre. The opportunity for each of the participating schools to watch, support and celebrate each others’ work at such a wonderful venue is fantastic and one I am positive the students will learn a great deal from.’
Stone Cold, Joe Standerline’s adaptation of Robert Swindells’ novel of the same name, will be performed by Castle Rushen High School. Explaining the story line the school’s subject team leader - drama Emilie Kermode said:
‘Dave is just another 16-year-old who's run away from home. New to London, he falls in with Ginger and, calling himself Link, begins to learn how to survive on the streets. However, a maniac is out there, stalking homeless young people and hell-bent on cleaning up the city. Ginger disappears and Link meets Gail, a young journalist on an undercover assignment; but will they find out the horrifying truth in time?’
In the run-up to the festival she said:
‘Castle Rushen High School is very much looking forward to taking part in this exciting venture. The chance for so many young people to perform at the Gaiety Theatre does not come along very often, so we grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Students from each of the key stages are involved in some way: year 9 and year 10 students take on the acting roles, and students from across the school take on the technical roles.
‘Lead roles are performed by Andrew Halstein, who plays the character of Dave/ Link, Mark Fullerton who plays Shelter, and Victoria Hoover who plays Louise/ Gail. Technical aspects will be co-ordinated by year 12 student Lewis Barritt.
‘I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who have helped in any way, including colleagues from the drama and music teams at Castle Rushen High School, the Isle of Man Arts Council team - with a special mention to Emma Quirk - and all those who will come and support us on Tuesday July 15th.’
Arthur Miller’sThe Cruciblewill be performed by Ramsey Grammar School. Drama teacher Samantha Fitzpatrick said:
‘Our students are very excited to be taking part in the schools play festival. Although it is a nerve-racking experience, performing at such a grand venue is a fantastic opportunity. We have been working very hard to prepare for this event and hope to perform to a standard worthy of the Gaiety Theatre.’
Island of Culture event director Michael Lees said:
‘The schools’ plays festival will offer students a unique ‘real life’ experience of what it is like to work under festival conditions; not only to perform but also to be responsible for designing the sets, props and costumes as well as taking charge of the technical production and in this we’re extremely grateful to the Gaiety Theatre’s technical manager Seamus Shea and his team for their cooperation.
‘Students will also benefit from advice and guidance of professional adjudicator Jan Palmer Sayer who directed the Manx Passion during Holy Week and has offered to work with the schools in the run-up to the festival.
‘At the heart of Island of Culture is an ambition to make culture in all its diversity enjoyable for and accessible to all ages and abilities and from the outset we were determined it should leave a lasting legacy.
‘The schools’ plays festival, which we would like to see become an annual event, will help equip young people with a range of life skills, not least project management and how to work as a cohesive team. I wish all those involved every success, and, who knows, the festival may also serve as the proving ground for a future BAFTA or Oscar winner.’
The festival line-up:
- Tuesday July 15 – Castle Rushen High School,Stone Cold by Joe Standerline, adapted from the novel by Robert Swindells.
- Wednesday July 16 – Ramsey Grammar School,The Crucible by Arthur Miller.
- Thursday July 17 – Ballakermeen High School,Too Fast by Douglas Maxwell.
All performances are at 7.30pm at the Gaiety Theatre.
Tickets, priced £5, are available from the Gaiety Theatre box office and the Welcome Centre. www.villagaiety.com
