Arts News
Barracking for the Umpire
In the evening on the Thursday of Week Eight, the Years Eleven and Twelve drama class went to witness the incredible performance ‘Barracking for the Umpire’ written by Andrea Gibbs and directed by Clare Watson.
Performed at the Albany Entertainment Centre by the Black Swan Theatre Company, this play is set in the regional WA town of Donnybrook over a singular weekend. It focuses on the themes around footy culture and how it directly reflects the attitudes of Australia, along with the fragility of the human body. The overarching plot revolves around an ex-footballer who has obtained many concussions over his years on the field leading to a brain injury and the effect it has on his relationships with his family. This play used a presentational approach to portray the representation of ‘toxic masculinity’ through the character the Coach. This character only exists within the mind of the former footballer reflecting the internal conflict and the Australian culture about just getting up and moving on when injured, or to ‘toughen up’.
Being set in regional Australia, the dynamics of the family and the interactions between characters hit close to home. Most Aussie plays are set over east, so being directly reflected by the text produced a new experience.
This play had a good balance between the comedy and the heart-felt moments. Similar to the way it balanced the critique of footy culture along with the positive aspects it also brings to communities.
After the conclusion of the play there was a Q&A with the actors, writer, a medical specialist in concussions and a local member from one of the Albany football clubs. We were able to get an insider view of the rehearsal techniques that the actors have used to enhance this performance and become more in tune with their characters.
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
On Tuesday 11 June, once again Spare Parts Puppet Theatre graced our school with another incredible performance, presented to the early Primary, Year Seven students, a group of students from the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre, grandparents to students and the Years Eleven and Twelve drama class. They have adapted the picture book Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge by Mem Fox into a puppet show that is currently touring regional WA. This story is set in an aged care home and focuses on the theme of memory.
From a workshop that was put on before the performance, five grandparents were selected to participate in the performance as other people in this home. They played their characters along with sharing their own personal memories that were sparked from a selected object. The whole audience had a chance to interact through the group aerobics class that was a part of the routine at this care home.
Within these fun moments, there was also the heavier theme of dementia and the loss of memory. Nancy, one of the puppets had a strong bond with the kid Wilfred, and due to this condition, she had forgotten him. This lets some of the audience reflect on the people they know or have known who have also dealt with dementia before. Using objects based on the definitions given by the grandparents, Wilfred uses objects to help Nancy remember. It’s a heartwarming and thought-provoking story; even though it’s targeted towards a younger audience, it can be enjoyed by anyone.
Lily Quick | Arts Captain
Dance opportunity
Sydney Dance Company will be coming to Albany Entertainment Centre in July to perform their new piece ‘Momenta’.
They are offering a 90-minute dance workshop for Great Southern Grammar students at school on Tuesday, 23 July, led by their dancers. The workshops are an incredible learning experience for students to deepen their creative, collaborative and critical thinking skills through the exploration of movement. The sessions can be delivered to complete beginners as a foundational exploration of contemporary dance or to intermediate - advanced dancers to further deepen technique, skill and artistry.
Led by Sydney Dance Company Dancers or Artistic Staff, Contemporary Creative Workshops are a unique opportunity for participants to experience how the Company creates and performs new and original movement. Participants are guided through a contemporary technique warm-up, taught a section of Sydney Dance Company repertoire and challenged with a composition task from momenta. Workshops are modified to suit the experience and ability of participants whilst encouraging creative thinking, improvisation and inclusivity.
If you are interested in participating in this amazing opportunity, please complete the cognito form in Daily Notices.
Numbers are limited, it is open to any student in Year Seven to Year Twelve.
Ms Rachel Mordy | Head of the Arts
Music Review
Congratulations to all our Music students in Years Eight, Nine and Ten who performed to a packed audience on Wednesday night.
We started with amazing performance of U2’s With Or Without You sung by Gus Andrew, this set a high standard for the evening.
Other stand outs from the Year Eights included Never Tear Us Apart by INXS.
The Year Nine students blew us away with their musical abilities.
My personal favourite was Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain.
Year Ten students wowed us with their Black Sabbath’s War Pigs, big shout out to Henry Smith for his guitar solo. We also were treated to an original work Babyteeth by Year Ten Specialist Music.
The evening ended with a very memorable finish, Abba’s Mamma Mia beautifully sung by Isla Perryman and Nana Yeboah.
Many thanks to Ms Luxton, Ms Thomas, Mr Manson and Mr Fowler for making this event happen! A special thanks to our debut roadies Owen Baxter-Holland and Ewan Layden.
Ms Rachel Mordy | Head of the Arts