The Crucible

1 - 4 July 2008, EEMR
As part of the end of term celebrations, Bryanston pupils treated the school to four performances of the powerful play, The Crucbile. American playwright Arthur Miller penned The Crucible (1953) as Cold War paranoia pervaded the USA, and in direct response to the McCarthy hearings. At the height of the Red Scare, Senator Joseph McCarthy’s House of Un-American Activities Committee had accused many hundreds of American citizens of communist activity, including members of the Hollywood elite and well-respected intellectuals such as Arthur Miller himself.

Set in the small, tightly knit community of Salem, Massachusetts in 1692, and based on written accounts of the witch trials held there, The Crucible offers audiences a historical analogy for this time of mass hysteria. The play tells the story of what happens when the town's Pastor, Reverend Parris, spies his young daughter, Betty, and a group of other girls from his church, dancing in the woods. Rather than suffer punishment for their actions, the girls accuse other inhabitants of Salem of practising witchcraft. The play's setting provides an appropriately claustrophobic atmosphere for the events that take place. The world of Salem is enclosed by strict moral and religious codes, which inevitably encourage the growth of hypocrisy and the abuse of power.

Betrayal, guilt, love, compassion, moral integrity, self-discovery and courage are all thematic strands running through the story. Despite the play's period setting, these themes are relevant today and Miller’s exploration of the human psyche and behavior makes the play an enduring piece of powerful theatre.
Cast and Crew
(3.7.08)
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A History of Rock

2 - 4 July 2008
The final week of term brought a treat for fans of rock music as pupils staged a tribute to the 'History of Rock'. The musical progression from the 50s to the present day was charted by accomplished performances of favourite hits by artists such as Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Blur and Amy Winehouse, to name but a few. Pupils also showcased dance medleys from Flashdance and Jailhouse Rock and gave audiences a taster of the musical Grease, which will be performed next term.
Programme
(4.7.08)
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The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole

15 - 17 May 2008
This term Bryanston Junior Drama Society performed the ever-popular story of The Secret Diary of Adrian MoleAged 13 3/4 by Sue Townsend. The play was adapted by Townsend herself from the internationally best-selling children's book, and hilariously explores the trials and tribulations of the troubled, adolescent Adrian and his friends and family. The three performances were very well received and director Katy Witchell says "This year we have had so much fun! This is a show about which I shall remember the preparation as much as the performances, and hiring the revolving stage has fulfilled a director's dream for me, I am so pleased that it was this cast who had the privilege of using it. Credit goes to the company for their hard work and dedication, they gave all they had to create larger-than-life, amusing characters and gave some admirable performances. Fred Chapman impressed audiences with his comic and skilled portrayal of poor Adrian, Richard White and Harriet Lowe should be praised for their gutsy portrayals of Adrian’s dysfunctional parents and the soloists Tatiana Pole-Carew, Georgina Malcolm and Raf Cross deserve mention for their fabulous musical numbers. I am so proud of them all! Special thanks should go to Duncan Emerson who arranged the wonderful music based on a few melody lines in the back of the script, the wonderfully supportive crew and to all the parents and friends who came so enthusiastically to spend a few hours with Adrian Mole and his bizarre companions."

More pictures, Cast and Crew

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A3 Festival 2008

The glorious early spring sunshine made a fitting backdrop for a colourful A3 Festival, which saw the entire lower sixth working together to produce an entertaining weekend of drama, music and art. A diverse range of music included rock, acoustic, classical, blues and dance, with one of the most varied and creative Top of the Pops the school has seen in recent years. A record number of 70 pupils were involved in the weekend’s programme of theatre, which included Sweeney Todd, Mean Girls, The Rocky Horror Show, and a superb production of Twelve Angry Men.

The traditional fancy dress conga during Saturday morning break gave students the opportunity to showcase an elaborate array of imaginative costumes including Smurfs, toy soldiers, a full set of Teletubbies and Barbie dolls - complete with boxes.
(15.2.08)
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LAMDA Exam Results

Congratulations. 32 students entered the senior exams and all passed!

Special congratulations to the following:
Bronze Merits:
Lyle Somerset, Guy Kilner, Katie Jackson, Alice Maltin, Emily Acton-Edmiston, Lucy Davies-Evitt, George Kimm, Alex Dunn-Sale, Oli Cary, Eugene Simon, Flo Lunt, Alex Cullen, Char Moncrieff, Harry Denniston
Bronze Distinctions:
Talia Cox, Anna Jay

Silver Medals:
Phoebe Holman, Ella Marchment, Tamara Tubb
Silver Distinctions:
Robbie Heygate, Rose Russell

Gold Distinctions:
Lotti Cutrupi, Ati Fisher (our first gold distinctions!)

(28.1.08)
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