Performing Arts

DRAMA MATTERS

YEARS 9 & 10 DRAMA EXCURSION

Seymour Centre:  The Tempest by William Shakespeare presented by Sport for Jove

Sport for Jove are one of the leading Shakespeare performance companies in Sydney. Each and every production is thoughtfully presented with meticulous moments of insight and engagement in Damian Ryan’s direction. Year 9 and 10 students who came to the first Drama excursion of the term at the Seymour Centre were not disappointed. The play began with Prospero commanding and creating the storm with the use of lighting, sound and a magnificent billowing sail. A rope attached to the wheel of the boat is all that was needed for the audience to believe they were seeing a ship crashing in a terrible storm.

We were surprised and delighted when the lords and ladies from below deck appeared suddenly out of a large box – an excellent moment of theatrical ingenuity. There were many, many engaging moments and the students thoroughly enjoyed the production. The use of a large parachute with a central hole where the actors were placed meant that we saw the lords both above and below the water. Stunning lights and sound effects, coupled with the slow motion of the actors meant we totally believed the underwater moments, presented when the parachute went high in the air. It’s not easy to describe the pleasure of that moment – creative, immersive and totally theatrical.

This was a truly modern, post-colonial interpretation of the script. When, at the end of the play, Prospero cried real tears and kissed the feet of Caliban (the Indigenous servant of the Island who he had kept as a slave) all other productions of this play pale into insignificance.

Our next Drama excursion, a school’s day at Sydney Theatre Company to see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof with the excellent Hugo Weaving, will be on Wednesday 22 May. The cost of this play will be covered by the Drama Department for students in Year 9, 10 and 12.

Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher

MUSIC MATTERS

Twilight Around the World!

Preparations are underway for our Twilight Around the World Concert tomorrow night,

Thursday 9 May, at Oxford Falls.  Doors open at 5.30pm.

 ARE YOU ALL READY FOR THIS?

Below: Only one more sleep until the Junior Break Dance Premiere Performance!

Thanks to Mr Anderson for painting our Twilight Concert Photo Booth artwork and to 

'Lights Larry' for donating, installing and operating such professional lighting.

Below:  Flamenco dancers, Ana Interiano and Alexandra Battistella of the

Los Carmonas Flamenco Dance Academy will be on stage with our Junior Choir.

OTHER HAPPENINGS IN THE PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT

HSC Musicology:  Year 12 listen to feedback from NESA HSC Musicology and Composition Marker, Mr Gary Monger.  Feedback is the stuff that makes the good even better!

Jazz Workshop Day:   Sunday 5 May was our annual Jazz Workshop Day, where Senior and Intermediate Jazz Bands have a mixture of full band rehearsals and tutorials with visiting specialist tutors.   Our boys were focused, enthusiastic, energetic and worked hard for our tutors and myself.  I must say I found their energy and enthusiasm inspiring.  We made great progress with our Sydney Eisteddfod repertoire - the equivalent of six weeks’ normal rehearsals - and we can look forward to some exciting performances !

 I want to thank the boys for so willingly embracing the day, and giving me their best, and thanks also to all parents for their support and encouragement.

Mr Long Lends a Hand:  Mr Long helped rehearse the Stage 3 boys for our Mother's Day Liturgy on Friday.  Singing wasn't the only thing on offer - along with the hymns Mr Long also taught some crazy dance moves!

Music Lessons at the College:  One small step for mankind, one giant leap for neuroscience and fun!  Anthony takes his very first lesson with Ms Waddington and we can't wait to hear him tinkling the ivories.

Piano Debut:  Oliver made his debut performance on piano at our whole-school Assembly on Monday for the Feast of Edmund Rice.  He was note perfect, and a true Edmund Ignatius Rice man of Service.

An International Interlude:  

Dominic rehearsed his French soliloquy with 

French teacher, Mrs McCormack.

Looking forward to seeing you all at Twilight Around the World tomorrow night!

 

Ms Pip Waters - Acting Performing Arts Coordinator