Art

"Art" is an unusual choice for a school play, dealing as it does with the nature of art and friendship through the medium of dialogue and monologue.  The pupils and parents in the audience greatly enjoyed the performance however, assisted perhaps by Richard Duggan's humorous interpretation of his character Yvan.  Alex Allt, who delighted with his performance as Fagin in Oliver! last year, adapted well to his new role as Serge, who has indulged his passion for modern art by buying a large white canvas.  It was Edward Massarella's first time on stage in a production at Mount St Mary's, but he impressed with his depiction of Marc, shocked by Serge's purchase.  The play was directed by Mr Jack Murphy, Head of English and Drama.

The Chattering Boxes

In the first Senior Drama Society production of 2009-10, members treated the audience to an evening of monologues.  "Chattering Boxes" was staged as a promenade production, enabling the directors to make full use of balconies, flights of stairs and the library to create a series of atmospheric backdrops. This was a production that made full use of our pupils' talents: not only did they perform, but they also wrote some of the monologues and directed them.  Mrs Maxine Smith, the Director of Studies but also a published playwright, explained: " We encourage our pupils to experience a full range of dramatic opportunities and experiences.  I have been impressed by how well they have embraced the art of the monologue and have enjoyed watching them grapple with the challenges of directing." The audience certainly appreciated the evening, which featured monologues written by well-known masters of the art including Joyce Grenfell as well as by our own pupils.