12:37pm Wednesday 5th November 2008
By Matthew Colledge
STUDENTS at Chilton Trinity Technology College in Bridgwater have completed a four-month project to produce and present a complete Shakespeare play in only 30 minutes.
In July, a group of 20 gifted and talented students were invited by the school drama department to participate in the international Shakespeare School Festival, by performing a 30 minute abridged version of King Lear.
With enthusiasm and dedication, students spent their summer holidays learning lines, in preparation for rehearsals, which began in earnest in September.
Head of drama, Fliss Surtees said: “The work was particularly challenging, because students had to create their own physical sets using their own bodies.
“For example student Peter Collett after delivering his lines as King Lear, then had to transform himself into a seat for Michael Goodwin, playing the part of The Earl of Gloucester!”
On September 9, the students received some professional help by attending a workshop in Bristol with a group of actors, and ideas began to come to fruition, as students began to gain performance experience in front of parents and visitors attending the school open evening.
On October 9 the students performed alongside four other schools from the South-West in front of a large audience at the Playhouse Theatre, Weston-super-Mare.
They presented a stunning performance and were privileged to receive praise from the deputy director of the festival, Penelope Middleboe.
A second performance then took place in front of an invited audience at the Bridgwater Arts Centre on October 10, which included Bridgwater’s Mayor Graham Granter and the leader of Sedgemoor District Council, Cllr Dennis Davey, both of whom complemented the students on their performance.
English teachers Lyn Findlay and Simon Bament who assisted with the project praised the students’ effort, dedication and excellent conduct and behaviour throughout the rehearsals and performances.
The students taking part were: Peter Collet (King Lear) Jonathan Dibble (Edgar) Lucy Williams (Cordelia) Ben Street (Edmund) Sindy Sellick (Regan) James Facey (Kent) Becky Seal (Goneril) Nils Williams (Oswald) Ben Wyatt (Duke of Albany) Sophie Mattews Morley (Attendant) Tom Howes (Duke of Cornwall) Becky Millar (Fool) Alex Rudhal (Old man/Gentleman to Cordelia) Michael Goodwin (Earl of Gloucester)
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