Form Four presented ‘Three Greek Plays: An evening of Tragedy, Comedy and Temptation’. Each of the plays combined the scripts with music and dance developed in music lessons, to provide a brilliant set of plays.
Form 4M performed ‘Pandora’s Box’, a play exploring temptation and human weaknesses. Pandora and her new husband, Epimetheus, are gifted a box from the God Zeus but they’re instructed not to open it. Epimetheus is very clear with his wife that she should comply with Zeus’ wishes; however she caves to temptation when the box starts to speak to her. The box created by students using plastic hoops also used colours to distinguish the different evils within the box. The evils of the world encircle poor Pandora only to be found out by her husband. Although Pandora is faced with her angry husband she clings on to the one thing left in the box: hope. Symbolising how hope rises above all evils. A compelling play that used astonishing physical theatre alongside advanced lighting and sound techniques.
Form 4H performed the ‘Beast in the Basement’. The cast brilliantly portrayed the tragic tale of Prince Theseus, son of Aegeus, heroically replacing one of his own people destined for death in the attempt to defeat the mighty Minotaur. He does so in a great battle, stunning the audience with advanced stage fighting techniques, even adding a slight comical element. Theseus proceeds to then take the daughter of Minos, Ariadne, home to wed her; seemingly a happy ending. However, on the journey home Theseus forgets to change the sail colour from black to white, falsely signalling to his father that he is dead, leading Aegeus to end his own life in grief. The chorus played a vital role, echoing thoughts also created by powerful sets and props. A challenging play to put on with an array of complex emotions, it was handled extremely maturely leading to a highly polished performance.
Form 4D performed ‘Jason and the Jargonauts’, a comedy in which Jason demands the throne of his father’s kingdom back from his wicked uncle who only agrees if Jason can bring him the “the fleece of the famous flying sheep”. Jason sets sail in his ship, the Argo, to the far off land of Colchis. Along the way Jason and the Jargonauts have many astonishing adventures including battling Harpies. After completing three nearly impossible tasks, Jason finally wins the magic fleece and returns to his uncle who is murdered by a dark enchantress, Medea. The script highlights the comedy in the Greek language and pronunciation which ends in all sorts of confusion, which is hilarious to watch. The students also used an array of sound and lighting cues, including the Benny Hill theme tune, to add even more comedic elements. Many especially enjoyed the use of props to create everything from battle weapons to the Argo.
One audience member commented, “We all thoroughly enjoyed them and found each one full of action and humour” and another remarked, “Such mature but exuberant performances, so clearly products of the children's creativity as well as the School’s own. It was so lovely to see them all enjoying and owning the stage - and doing amazing things with such confidence and enthusiasm.”