Old Swinford Hospital

The Drama Showcase opened to a bustling crowd of parents, students and teachers that filled out the Foleyan centre.  The show began and on walked the Drama Club and cast of ‘Our Day Out’ (by Willy Russel).  The representatives of the Drama Club were an array of students of all ages and year groups, and the performance truly reflected that diversity.  The story followed the antics on the bus of a class of school children on a school trip.  This class consists of students from assorted upbringings with the core of the play focusing ultimately on the troubled areas of Liverpool and the poverty these children were born into.

The stern Scottish Mr Briggs character was bought to life by James Wilkinson, a Year 11 student who put an almost satirical twist on the character which had the audience in hysterics.  Meanwhile, Theo Oluyide, and Ted Lower played Digga and Relighy, two mischievous boys who joke immaturely but have big hearts.

Later in the play we were introduced to Mrs. Kay and Carol who were brilliantly rendered by the wonderful Maisie-Grace and the captivating Ava O’Carroll.  An aura of emotion flowed through the audience as they observed Carol expressing her dreams and hopes as calm, soothing and caring Mrs. Kay supported her telling her she could try to make her dreams come true but knowing ultimately that’s its unlikely due to Carol being born into such a poor area of Liverpool.

As the night went on we were treated to a variety of acts from the wonderful soloists who put their own time into creating a performance of the highest quality.  Sophia Priestnall (Year 9) shocked us all with her incredible rendition of ‘On My Own’ from Les Misérables; her voice left many of us in awe.  Freddie Barlett showed of his acting experience, which was a skilfully delivered and a cleverly written soliloquy, that received the applause of a star.  The girls of ‘Six the Musical’ (supported by their choreographer George Viennas) demonstrated impeccable coordination and vocal ability that was a show of their pure talent.  Other performances came from myself, singing ‘Reviewing the situation’ from Oliver, Anabelle Ellis singing ‘My favourite things’ from the Sound of Music, and a group of Year 9 boys who bought the crowd into hysterics with their hilarious spy themed, silent comedy sketch.

Finally, a big thank you to everyone who made this happen and worked behind the scenes and a special thanks to Miss Winston for putting this, dazzling, event together.

Written by Harry Abeysinghe, Year 11

Credits:

• Directors: Mrs. Winston, Freddie Barlett
• Lights and effects: Orlando Byard-Jones, Harry Abeysinge
• Support light and effects: Olivia Crawford, Leo Archer- Smith
• Choreographer and vocal support: George Viennas
• Drama Club cast of ‘Our Day Out’
  • Directr: Miss Winston
  • Y12 C-Director: Freddie Bartlett
  • Mrs. Kay: Maisie-Grace Hwell
  • Mr. Briggs: James Wilkinsn
  • Digga: The Oluyide
  • Reilly: Ted Lwe
  • Carl: Ava O’Carroll
  • Andrews: Harry Abeysinghe
  • Little Kids: Lacey Jnes and Annabelle Ellis
  • Driver: Samuel Lees-Smith
  • Pupils: Millie Caddy, Tabitha Irving, Meera Pandit, Bbby German, Layla Simms, Deya Sander, Freya Mann, Adam Scarr, Jasper Irving
• Showcase performers and soloists
  • ‘On My Own’, frm Les Misérables: Sophia Priestnall Year 9
  • ‘It means Beautiful’, frm Everybody’s Talking about Jamie: Sophia Priestnall Year 9
  • ‘Missin Impossible,’ silent movie, slapstick scene: Jackson Wall, Anthony Mukasvazva, Rocco Morgan, Tom Cambridge, all Year 9
  • ‘My Favurite Things,’ from The Sound of Music: Annabelle Ellis, Year 7
  • ‘Reviewing the Situatin,’ from Oliver: Harry Abeysinghe, Year 11
  • Mnologue: Freddie Bartlett writer and director, Year 12
  • ‘Six’ frm Six the Musical, song and scene: Maisie Grace-Howell, Elinor Crawford, Lily Phipps, Lacey Jones, Tabitha Irving, Millie Caddy, all Year 7