"Some had greatness thrust upon them"

Last month a select group of talented 4th Form pupils performed at the annual Schools' Shakespeare Festival, this year taking place at the Chichester Festival Theatre - there were over 650 schools participating to packed houses.

. “King Edward’s School’s performance of ‘Twelfth Night’ was fantastic”, commented the professional Director of the West End production of ‘Yes Prime Minister’, as he gave his evaluation at the end of four school performances. In preparation for this performance, pupils worked with the National Youth Theatre.
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To take the gender reversals of the play a stage yet further than the original production, Mrs. Victoria Dvali, in her highly successful debut as a King Edward’s School drama director had cast Fourth Form GCSE Drama pupil Christine as Duke Orsino. Christine commanded the stage from her very first entrance with the ‘If Music be the Food of Love’ speech and performed throughout with dignified grace and authority. She was utterly credible as a seventeenth century nobleman.

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Drama scholar Ruby, as Viola, spoke Shakespeare’s lines with great clarity of diction and enthralled an audience of 400 people. A rapid costume change was required to effect the ‘twin’ appearance that was required to match her with Daniel’s genuinely played Sebastian. Dan’s great achievement was in not overdoing his part, his naturalism in the scene where brother and sister were reunited drew sighs and murmurs from the audience, it was highly effective. Some very clever costume touches achieved the identity doubling that was required.

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Freddie was a sombre and mournful, marooned sea captain and performed again later as a priest; both parts were performed with confidence and clarity, well done Freddie. Jorge played an hilarious Sir Toby Belch and, teamed with Matthew as Sir Andrew Aguecheek, provided routines of clowning and comic exaggeration that had the entire audience giggling. They carried a small ‘gesture’ of a shrubbery on stage and yet made us believe in their garden scene. Gemma, as Maria, held the comic group together and established her character with authoritative and impressive impact.

Joshua, as Malvolio, was very good and struck just the right note of haughtiness to justify his come-uppance. Yannick was a real discovery, the first member of the cast to have learnt his lines, Yannick as Antonio, achieved the right balance between a dangerous and rejected desperado and righteous indignation. Thomas was suitably businesslike and forceful as Orsino’s officer. The cast were praised by the organisers for their stage combat skills and a highly convincing sword fight.

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Acting Shakespeare can be difficult at the best of times but it is exceptionally difficult if you are Ukrainian and English is your second language. With great concentration and skill, Yelyzaveta successfully portrayed Valentina as a serious and attentive personal maid to Gemma’s Olivia. Gemma looked uncannily like Elizabeth I and acted with regal diction and focus. Another newcomer from the Ukraine is Kseniya who skilfully played Feste the clown and a scary interrogating monk, Sir Topaz.

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Drama activities continue with this cast who were a pleasure to work with; they are keen to continue with something more modern, that being a performance of a modern play from the National Theatre ‘Connections’ festival.