A performance packed with ‘ado’
Wenona’s production of Much Ado About Nothing last week was spectacularly good fun, with fabulously feisty female characters and stand-out dance performances to Abba’s Dancing Queen and Stevie Wonder’s Superstition.
Cast and crew all agreed that the production had been a wonderful way for everyone to enhance their acting, dancing and theatre skills, as well as form new friendships between year groups and the students from Riverview and Shore who participated.
Here’s what Head of Drama and the play’s producer, Ms Crittle had to say.
“I chose Much Ado About Nothing for our inaugural school play as I wanted to put on something that would challenge our girls, but would still be fun and entertaining. I also wanted something with strong female roles. Much Ado fits that description. It is such a wonderful play, full of wit and fun, and the central role of Beatrice is a gift for a strong actress. Beatrice is funny, warm and passionate, with a strong moral compass. She is a great role model for young women.
Our director, Mr Chris Tomkinson has done a wonderful job with this play. He understood right from the start that this production should put women to the fore. He set the play in the 1970’s - a time when women were just starting to find their voice - and changed many of the male characters to women. This has had a big impact on how many of the scenes played out. In our production, we do not see men fighting to decide the fate of women, but women fighting head to head with men who need to be taught a lesson about what respect and honour really mean.
The young people in the cast have benefitted from working with amazing professionals. Mr Tomkinson has taught them so much about how to handle Shakespearean language on stage. I had the opportunity to design the 1970’s sets and costumes for the show, and it was amazing to see how Mr Tomkinson helped the students to use it in comic and inspired ways. Watching Nina (Year 11) as Verges and Annabelle (Year 11) as Dogberry, do battle with the 1970’s beanbags will be a memory I will cherish!
Our Drama teacher Mr Colyer used the choreography and dance skills that he learned as a dancer with The Australian Ballet to create exciting dances to Stevie Wonder’s Superstition and ABBA’s Dancing Queen. These dance numbers were one of the highlights of the show. Ms Philippa Drakakis, from the Extra Curricular Music and Drama staff composed a moving song for Hero’s ‘funeral’ and provided invaluable instruction on voice projection and articulation.
Of course none of the stuff you see on stage could happen without the help of those backstage. Right from the start of rehearsals Ms Jolley had her Stage Crew supporting us. They taped up the floor to mimic the stage in the Independent Theatre, marked up the prompt scripts with entrances, exits and blocking, and made lists of props. By the time our performances came around, they were working like a well-oiled machine. Ms Jolley herself, passionately procured 1970’s paraphernalia for the set.
I know that the young people in our cast have learned so much from our production. Creating theatre is a truly collaborative act. It requires that everyone, from the cast to those backstage and to the teachers and professionals who support them, work together to give their best. This has been our experience putting on Much Ado About Nothing.”
The cast could not agree more.
Claudia (Year 10) who played Beatrice said, “It has been such a pleasure being a part of such a wonderful cast and I feel honoured to be able to play the character of Beatrice. Beatrice overall is a character I deeply connect with and over time I been able to develop this character thoroughly and learn greatly off the other actors in the cast as well as through the directorial vision. Despite the stress of learning lines, I overall had a huge amount of fun and feel so privileged to have had this opportunity to play such a fantastic character with an amazing group of people.”
Imogen (Year 11) who played Leonata, Wenona’s female version of Leonardo. She said, “I love that Leonata is a strong female character with strong objectives and has control over her life and the activity around her. She has an air of status, which claims attention and respect. While Beatrice is also a very strong character they both manage to hold their own and I admire her passion and how she speaks her mind. I was grateful to be part of this production. It’s been exciting and inspiring to have a professional director with a love of language and finding the simplicity in acting. I have learnt so much about the basics of acting and the delivery of lines, and can now continue on acting with a stronger base. Each cast member has as a specific talent within the show. It’s been great to notice what each person brings and the strengths they have, sometimes naturally and some that they have been actively working towards. I’ve used this to better myself as an actor and cast member.”
Greta (Year 10) played Constance, Wenona’s female version of Conrad. She said, “When rehearsals started, I must be honest, I was dreading learning Shakespearean lines. And it was indeed a difficult task, but, to some extent, the pain of hammering into my mind how to pronounce “tae-n” and then being told to just say taken, was relieved by the fun I had rehearsing. I learnt something new from the 17 talented actors I got to work with every rehearsal, as well as finding a way to laugh through the stress of not knowing lines. Much thanks must be given to Mr Tomkinson, our fantastic director Ms Drakakis for helping us with our scenes, and to Ms Crittle, who dealt with the stress of putting the show on, as well as the flustered teens in the show. Much Ado could never have been as enjoyable, educational, and exciting without every person involved. Thank you for including me in this production, and I look forward to what is in the future for drama at Wenona.”
Charlotte (Year 11) played Antonia, Wenona’s female version of Antonia. “I liked the authority of the character, but at the same time the playfulness that came along with it. She constantly teases Hero and I like playing with that role and seeing how much I could get out of the character and what I could represent. I have loved the whole process, but mostly enjoyed putting it on the stage and having the final dress rehearsals with the play finally coming together. I loved experiencing putting on a production and getting to know all the cast.”
Drama Captain, Josephine (Year 11) played Donna Joan, Wenona’s female version of Don John. “My character is the villain of the play, a cunning and manipulative role. I have never played a role like this, so although slightly challenging I have loved getting into character, particularly with costumes and makeup. In general, the play has taught me the importance of teamwork and commitment. It was so important for every member to attend rehearsals in order to have a smooth sailing production.”