William Brookes School Blog

With the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, came the advent of the actress - the ‘playhouse creature’ to which April De Angelis’ title refers. Performed by actresses only, men are referred to ‘off stage’ as they wield influence and power that affects each of the actresses differently.

William Brookes’ AS Theatre Studies have brought this production to life at ‘the Edge’, Wednesday 21st and Thursday 22nd January. Both performances begin at 7.30 p.m. and cost £5.00 and £4.00 concession.

Below, we have compiled some dress rehearsal photographs.

Playhouse Creatures

Performed by the WBS AS Theatre Studies Group

By Tom Jennings

Watching Playhouse Creatures was a delight. The performance of each actor was well handled especially Lily Porter as Nell Gwynn, a foul mouthed opportunist who wants to be an actress to make herself money and live in high society.

Written by April De Angelis, Playhouse Creatures is set in the 1660’s, when women were allowed by Kings Charles II to perform on stage as part of productions. The play deals with women who are part of this group known as “the playhouse creatures” who are trying to get over most of the old ideas that still exist about the theatre.

The character of Mrs. Betterton, played very well by Alice Beck and Beth Dawes, shows a woman who had been breaking the law by performing in plays before King Charles II’s law was passed who is coming to the end of her career as she is being replaced by younger women such as Nell, who only want to be in the theatre for the money and fame, while she was in the theatre for her love of acting.

It was a brilliant and funny performance overall and my only regret was not seeing it the day before so I could have seen it again.

AS Level Theatre Studies students have been busy rehearsing a performance of Joan Littlewood’s ’Oh, What a Lovely War!

This William Brookes stage adaptation of the famous musical sees all of the cast dressed in Pierrot style costumes.

The show forms part of their studies and is being staged at the Edge  Thursday 15th, Friday 16th and Saturday 17th January.

Oh, What A Lovely War!
Performed By the Year 11 Drama Group
It was clear from the moment that I sat down that Oh, What a Lovely War! was a very prolific play. Its subject matter is, of course, very touchy to some people, as it attempts to satirise war on a whole by depicting certain aspects of World War One. In particular, the incompetent leadership skills of the generals at the time and the blind willingness of certain soldiers to race into a hail of machine-gun fire. The term “Lions led by Donkeys” was a key point of this play and it showed clearly that this was not a “straight laced” play.
Written in 1963 by Joan Littlewood it shows the incompetence of the generals in charge of the different forces of the First World War and how their disregard for life and focus on money led to millions of soldiers being needlessly killed. With its use of music hall songs and Brechtian acting it was a revolutionary play to be performed for its time.
The actors performed the play with much flair especially in the good execution of multi-roling and the projections that were used to great extent. The one criticism I have of the play is that the songs seemed a little under rehearsed but aside from this the acting stood out.
I would recommend anyone to see this play, when it’s performed, if they are interested in World War One or history in general.

By Tom Jennings, Year 12

Students have really made a fantastic effort for LEPRA this year.  In total we have raised £1,208.08 for 2008 (bit of a tongue-twister that one!).

As well as taking part in a massive fundraising ‘workout’, students used their own initiative to reach this highly commendable grand total.

LEPRA sent Karen Krstic to the school to present each student raising £21 or more with a T shirt.  In turn, we presented her with a large cheque for the charity.

Mrs Horsley would like to say a  BIG thank you to all those who took part or gave to the cause.