Drama
BWHS Production of The Wizard of Oz
Builth Wells High School’s whole school bi-lingual production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ was a sell out at the Wyeside Arts Centre. Many teachers, pupils, and their parents/carers were in the audience to be amazed and enthralled by the high levels of acting, musicianship, costume and set design. The songs and tunes from the show may have been heard frequently on the radio this year, as there was a new production this winter of the show in London. The melodies are so catchy that anyone may be found humming phrases for days after seeing it.
Staff and pupils from all years and departments were encouraged to be involved. There were many behind the scenes tasks ie. poster and programme design, set decorating, sewing and a lot of rehearsing and meetings in break, lunch time and after school. Even businesses in town were involved as they were invited to advertise in the programme by members of the sixth form.
The rehearsals, work of learning lines, songs, music and so on, developed a feeling of camaraderie and commitment towards the effort needed to put on such a professional show and was a large learning curve for the many pupils who had never been part of such an activity.
Head teacher Shan Davies was extremely gratified that so many pupils across the age range of the school were using their skills and talents voluntarily to bring together such a large multi disciplinary and bi-lingual project as this show.
A message from Shân Davies:
"
I feel very privileged to be the Headteacher of a school where the staff and pupils have once again brought their skills and talents together to contribute to this whole school production.
I would like to give my thanks to all the staff involved in the Drama, Music, Art, Textiles, DT, PE and Welsh Departments, as well as staff who have covered lessons and who helped with the smooth running of rehearsals and the show.The pupils were outstanding, whether acting, singing, dancing or playing music and I have taken away many spectacular memories of the production".
Robyn Lewis, Drama teacher had this to say:
"The dream of creating a whole school production was cooked up in my interview for the position of Drama Teacher at BWHS two years ago. It was warming to a simmer since September, and frantically boiling for the last month of rehearsal. At the moment, drama, music and the set and costumes are like the pieces of a jig saw puzzle. We have made all the pieces and the job this month is to put them all together".
Speaking after the last performance Robyn Lewis, Director, said:
"‘How sad I am it’s all over. It has been such a long project that the end never seemed in sight and yet now it’s gone I miss it. So many people have generously given their time, energy and warmth to this much-loved story. Thank you to you all, staff and pupils".
Actor Abigail Spencer who played the Lion thinks that:
‘"Playing the Lion was a lot of fun and a brand new experience for me to play a main role to the public and I have enjoyed every minute of it. I have the hair to play the Lion, which inspired me to audition in the first place. It was decided I had the best roar".
Joe Dunne, who is a seasoned actor for Mid Powys Youth Theatre, played the Wicked Witch of the West and commented:
"Iit was nice to be integrally involved in a school production and portray a different role to those I am accustomed to. I’ve never been a witch before or been in a musical".
Head of Music and Musical Director Elin Non Ennis came in to school on non-school days to rehearse the orchestra pieces with very willing pupils, as the musical pieces can be quite demanding.
Oli Cox who plays trumpet explained:
"The music was extremely challenging to play as we were working from professional scores and it was very exciting to see the pieces taking shape. There are over 40 pieces of music including incidental pieces that we had to learn, not just the songs that are familiar. There are 12 of us in the ensemble, all of whom perform regularly for the school and who range from year 8 to year 13".
Elin Non Ennis, Head of Music, thought that:
‘"The Wizard of Oz was a fantastic opportunity for pupils from all ages and departments to work together", and added, "‘I am so proud of all the musicians who took part, and for their commitment throughout".
Andrew Mantle fulfilled the role of Choirmaster:
" The choir were to be found seated in the orchestra pit, standing whilst singing, which proved most effective, as well as enjoyable for them. Their performance was excellent and I am so pleased with the way their singing contributed to the actors onstage".
Ellie Hather was in the choir and told us:
"The main song that you think of in the Wizard of Oz is ‘We’re off to see the Wizard’. We were singing it in welsh, but don’t worry because the words were in the programme. It was really fun".
Choreographers Sarah Evans, Eleri Marshalsay and Katie Evans (no relation) inform us that the Munchkins had a huge dance part and they were trying to keep the dance performances as true to the original as possible. Other cast members had dance performances too and the three have found it a new experience and at the same time an enlightening adventure to be involved.
The spectacle of the Wizard of Oz owes a lot to the costume design but also to the amount of movement and dance onstage which teachers Sarah and Eleri choreographed with a huge thank you to sixth form pupil Katie for her valuable input and commitment.
Sarah commented:
"The memories that I have personally taken away from the production I will treasure for ever. The pupils enthusiasm, commitment and motivation were second to none. I thoroughly enjoyed working with all the cast and crew".
Eleri thought that:
"Having so many pupils on stage to choreograph was challenging but also a pleasure, as they were so responsive and willing to learn".
Katy Rees, costume designer and Head of Textiles, excelled herself, being responsible for the incredible on stage impact of colour and spectacle.
She described the Wizard of Oz as:
"Having some of the most interesting and elaborate costumes that you can have in a play. It was really fun designing and making the costumes and a pleasure seeing all the pupils and teachers coming into the textiles department to help sew and make papier mache hats. Special thanks to Carol Allsopp who worked backstage with me and was in charge of make-up".
Helen Flaherty, Head of Art, explained that:
‘"The set was interesting to design because it had to be colourful and happy as well as dark and spooky. The Art and Design Technology departments co-ordinated closely to design and make the set and props. From my point of view it was great to see so many pupils involved in the set making. There is so much variety of activity when you put on a show".
Helen also designed a logo for the production which featured in the Wyeside Arts Centre Programme and on all posters, artwork and letters to parents.
Robyn Davies Head of Design Technology made the set and props, commenting:
"It was an intense and enjoyable experience to ensure that all set items were completed in time for the show. It was great to see so many pupils contributing, not just to the show but also to making the set. I felt it helped to bring the different departments within the school closer together. In the end the result was fantastic".
Esther Sargeant, Librarian, co-ordinated publicity and marketing, encouraging sixth form art students by enlisting two pupils to produce artwork for the posters and programme.
In particular Ellen Harris’s illustration graces the posters and the programme’s front page. She told us:
‘"My illustration shows Dorothy in a new light. She is quite whimsical, vulnerable and alone".
Barney Williams took the opportunity to illustrate the inside pages of the programme and appreciated the opportunity to add to his CV saying:
"Doing this is a great way to apply yourself to your subject in a real project where people are going to see your work and hopefully appreciate it".
The complete cast:
Musical Director
Elin Non Ennis
Director
Robyn Lewis
Assistant Director
Adam Morgan
Main Cast
Hannah Cockett as Dorothy Gale
Benjamin Jamesas Scarecrow
Emily Hartles as Tin Man
Abigail Spencer as Lion
Steffan Williamsas The Wizard of Oz
Sara Thomas as The Good Witch
Joseph Dunn as The Wicked Witch
Max Hilliard as The Emerald City Guard
The Munchkins
Georgina Williams;
Angharad Gough;
Siân Davies;
Harriet Power;
Elin Powell;
Caitlin Harley;
Gwen Davies;
Hannah Beetham;
Katie Griffiths;
Beth Halliday;
Alice Cox;
Ysabel Zammit;
Deryn Evans;
Jason Crompton;
Joanne Crompton;
Tom Garner
Musicians
Louise Wilcocks;
Jessica Thompson;
Sophie Wilcocks;
Molly Beetham;
Tom Childs;
Oliver Cox;
William Davies;
Owen Jordan;
Mr Ivor Cox;
Nathan Jones;
Ollie Harding
Choir
Andrew Mantle - Conductor
Victoria Dunn;
Amy James;
Sophie Jones;
Rhiannon Lewis;
Sioned Davies;
Briony Walton;
Hannah Hughes;
Gina Williams;
Nicci Jones;
Sheena Kidd;
Ellie Hather;
Elin Powell;
Hannah Jones;
Kelly Thomas;
Rebecca Hope;
Vicky Roff;
Amy Jones;
Sian Healey;
Chelsea Lloyd;
Ffion Williams;
Maya Farrugia;
Natasha Rowell;
Ceri Forkings;
Alyshe Chevalier;
Laura Taylor;
Mair Davies;
Cameron Wood;
Daisy Hardwick
Production Team
Stephen Mason;
Esther Sargeant;
Penny Hourahane;
Sarah Evans;
Eleri Marshalsay;
Katie Evans;
Ellen Harris;
Barney Williams;
Matthew Moore;
Joe Cleminson;
Indigo Farrugia;
Annie Pearson;
Niall Evans;
Toby Ijbema;
Christian Lally;
Will Mayo;
Sebastian Meighan-Davies;
Tom Roberts;
Alex Baldwin;
Molly Pearson
Set
Helen Flaherty;
Robyn Davies;
Carol Allsopp;
George Jenkins;
Neil Morris;
Georgina Colman;
Kelly Thomas;
Rebecca Hope;
Elinor Edwards;
Leanne Baker;
Cerys Jones;
Catherine Townsend;
Holly Pilliner;
Bethan Tomlin;
Wilfred Hather;
Jessica Evans
Costume
Katy Rees;
Carol Allsopp;
Bethan Hiscocks;
Liz Evans;
Mrs Hammond;
Nia Macmillan;
Ionwen Spowage
Amy Belton;
Abigail Davies;
Sioned Davies;
Ebony Hammond;
Tilly Johnson;
Claudia Jones;
Connor Jones;
Emily Marrs;
Lydia Ward;
Jessica Worthington;
Julie Evans;
Lily Yeates;
Lucy Brown;
Toni Hilliard;
Poppy Jenkinson;
Jeffrey Jones;
Owen Lord;
Liz Price;
Larrisa Rowan;
Sophie Thomas; Amy Turner;
Anna Turner;
Georgina Williams;
Samson Vaughan;
Leanne Baker;
Cerys Jones;
Rebecca Hope;
Joanne Manser;
Jonathan Waller;
Menna Williams;
Megan Johnstone
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