bcs performsmacbeth - bournemouth collegiate school · shakespeare wrote macbeth about 1606, just...

BCS PERFORMS

MACBETHMonday 28th November 2016

O F F I C I A L P R O G R A M M E

Macbeth is such a lively and thrilling Shakespeare play and I love the inspiration behind the play itself.

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth about 1606, just after the Gun Powder Plot where conspirators had planned to blow up the new King and his parliament. So Shakespeare developed a play in which people conspire to kill the Scottish King and take his place.King James 1st had grown up in a terrible time, his father had been murdered and his mother Mary Queen of Scots had been executed. He was quite a tormented man, when he came to England from Scotland in 1603 to take over the thrown after Queen Elizabeth 1st died. He had great interest in witchcraft. In 1597 he wrote a book about demons and witches ‘Demonolgy’. So it is not surprising that Shakespeare decided to interest the King with a short play about the evils of witchcraft and the turmoil of regicide. It is the only play he set in Scotland.

Macbeth is supposedly a cursed play. To this day, actors refuse to say its name when in the theatre. A coven of witches is said to have cursed the play for eternity in revenge for Shakespeare’s inclusion of the spoken spells and there are various stories of mayhem and mishaps linked with performances of ‘The Scottish Play’.

It has been a great pleasure to work with such talented actors in this particular production. Harri Bates has created a poetic and thoughtful soldier, wracked with indecision, while his friend Freddy Bridgman (Banquo) looks disconcertingly and knowingly on. Dani Poll is a strong and yet vulnerable Lady Macbeth, who seems to absorb the evil of the witches, who she calls upon to give her courage. The unusual portrayal of the witches casting aside the expected black rags for hauntingly elegant white gowns adds an unusual sense of unease as they gleefully watch their own drama unfold in front of them like a soap opera. In our version, they have a particular interest in the Thane of Cawdor.Every single actor in this ensemble cast has thrown themselves in with absolute commitment and it has been a pleasure to see their skills develop, as we move towards the huge stage of the Lighthouse Theatre.

I would like to finish here with a special thanks to Brandon Marais, who has added his own unique vision to our play. Brandon is an exceptionally talented young actor/singer, who left BCS in 2014 and went onto drama school. I am sure we will see many of these young actors again!

Thank you everyone for your support.

Mrs Fitzpatrick

Head of Drama

WELCOME TO MACBETH

BRANDON MARAIS CHOREOGRAPHER AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

What have you liked most about working with Macbeth?Working on this production has allowed me to explore and test my style of work. I have enjoyed discovering and developing my performance aesthetic.

The best play you have been in?The production that I have enjoyed the most has been a production of The Beggars Opera, while I was at Oxford School of Drama. It was unlike anything I have experienced before.

Your favorite actor and why?My favorite actress is Kate Winslet. Her work is true and authentic. She is so accomplished and yet she remains humble and dignified in everything she does.

When did you join BCS?I joined BCS in February of 2012 after moving from South Africa.

What did you like most about the school?The Arts have always been extremely encouraged.

What are your plans for the future?One of my plans is to continue producing and directing productions. I plan to further develop my aesthetic and experience. I try to push boundaries and take writing to a place the audience would never expect it to be.

“Brandon started at school in February 2012 and came in to my Drama GCSE class who were preparing for their practical exam the following month. He stepped in to add the much needed 5th character in their play.

When the examiner came I told her that Brandon was not taking the GCSE as he had only just started here at school she said this was a pity as he would have gained 100% for his practical performance. He was outstanding.

We decided to make Brandon a late GCSE entry. He worked so hard in the following months and managed to secure himself an A*. This young man has a superb talent for acting, so it has been delightful to have him back at school to co-direct Macbeth after his foundation course at Oxford School of Drama.” Mrs Fitzpatrick

CAST LIST

NAME

Harrison B

Daniella P

Holly J

Georgia C

Chloe C

Frederic B

Jack B

Adam H

Charlie B

Glenn B

Addwell C

Joe S

Rian A

Savanna F

Amber G

Anabel B

Benno H

Hugo C

Julie M

Myles R

Beatrice Z

Steven H

ROLE

Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

1st Witch

2nd Witch

3rd Witch

Banquo

King Duncan

Macduff

Malcom

Fleance

Lennox

Angus

Murderer & Ensemble

Seton & Murderer

Ensemble

Ensemble

Ensemble

Ensemble

Ensemble

Ensemble

Ensemble

Light Technician

CAST PROFILES

Harrison B - Yr 12 - Macbeth

What do you like about the role?I’ve enjoyed the complexity of Macbeth’s mind in his moments of ambition, evil and philosophising, remembering that Macbeth is not all evil.

What do you think about performing in a big theatre? The atmosphere is unprecedented, you get an adrenalin from big theatres that you won’t find anywhere else in selling a part, a side of yourself to hundreds of people.

Daniella P - Yr 12 - Lady Macbeth

What do you like about the role?I’ve never played a strong woman before, so having the opportunity to play such a determined character who by the end of the play becomes completely emotionally destroyed and vulnerable has been difficult and challenging, yet great fun.

What do you think about performing in a big theatre?It makes the whole production feel more serious and professional. The adrenalin is amazing.

Frederic B - Yr 12 - Banquo

What do you like about the role?I like how he is always thinking about scenarios before everyone else and I love that he knows Macbeth murdered King Duncan.

What do you think about performing in a big theatre? I really enjoy it as you get a lot of adrenaline and it seems as though you are in a professional theatre.

LADY

MACBETH

MACBETH

BANQUo

CAST PROFILES

three witches

Chloe C - Yr 11

What is your favourite play that you have been in?

“Anything Goes” which I was encouraged to play a lead role which really helped my characters skills.

Georgia C - Yr 11

When did you begin at BCS and what do you like the most about the school?

I started BCS in Yr 7. I appreciate how welcoming the teachers and students are to new students and international students.

Jack B - Yr 11 - King Duncan

Who is your favourite actor/actress? My favourite actor is Heath Ledger. He played William Thatcher in the film “ A Knight’s Tale”. He is hugely charismatic.


I started BCS at age 11 in Yr 7. I like the way the teachers are so supportive especially my Drama teacher, Mrs Fitzpatrick.

Holly J - Yr 11

What do you like aboutthe role?

I get to work with my two friends as a team which has helped us three in the rehearsal process.

K iNgDUNCAN

CAST PROFILES

Adam H - Yr 11 - Macduff

What do you like about the role?

The role is very dramatic and it really allows me to express my acting to the best of my ability.

Savanna F - Yr 10 - Seton


Something I wouldn’t normally play, it’s great to work with the Sixth Formers, as they are very talented.

Charlie B - Yr 10 - Malcom


Cinderfella because it was all improvised and unexpected and a great laugh.

Joe S - Yr 11 - Angus

What are your plans for the future?

I want to be a footballer to fulfil my dream and I want to study BTEC Sport.

Glenn B - Yr 10 - Fleance

What are your plans for the future?

I would like to become a professional ballroom dancer in the future.

Addwell C - Yr 10 - Lennox

Who is your favourite actor/actress?

I really like Heath Ledger because in the film Batman he was really grabbing me in the way he was so mesmerising.

MACDUFF FLEANCEMALCom

LENNoxANgusSEToN

CAST PROFILES

ENSEMBLE

Anabel B - Yr 10


I like to work with a big team and with my friends. I also like to study dance.

Beatrice Z - Yr 10


Cecilia Cheung because her performing skills are really good and I like her voice and looks.

Amber W - Yr 11


I played “Old Sally “ in “Oliver”. From then I loved drama and the role was so fun.

Hugo C - Yr 11

What do you think about performing in a big theatre?

I reckon it’s a good idea to prepare ourselves for even bigger theatres.

Julie M - Yr 11

What do you think about performing in a big theatre?

I think it would be a lovely experience. I’m really lucky to have this opportunity.

CAST PROFILES

ENSEMBLE

Benno H - Yr 11


I started BCS in Yr 11 and I like most to have many opportunities to do Drama or take part in Sports.

Myles R - Yr 10


The Rock, as he is such a chilled actor and funny, and he has never been in a bad film.

Rian A - Yr 10


It’s not a small part but it’s not a big part and I think it will be good to practice team work.

Stephen H - Yr 10


Treasure island as a sound editor.

Shakespeare Schools Festival uses the unique power of Shakespeare to transform lives. In 2016, over 1100 schools will perform in 131 theatres from Aberdeen to Aberdare, Carlisle to Clacton in the world’s largest youth drama festival - Shakespeare Schools Festival. The SSF use a rigorous and supportive process to train teachers and young people in an active and ambitious way of working with Shakespeare. Months of preparation culminate in exhilarating performance evenings; young people playing Shakespeare in professional theatres. Since their birth in Wales in 2000, over 1/4 million young people have taken part in the visceral and ambitious learning programme.

SHAKESPEARESCHOOLS FESTIVAL

“SSF has done more than anyone to jazz

up the once-dreary curricular approach to

our greatest playwright.”

- Libby Purves, The Times

BCS

BCS are extremely proud to have been involved in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and would like to thank Mrs Fitzpatrick, her team and all the cast for their work in making this short version of Macbeth possible. For those of you who might not be familiar with BCS, we are a school that provides the very best in independent co-education, day and boarding, from age 2-18, across two sites in Southbourne and Lower Parkstone.

BCS recognises that academic success is vitally important in education and is a central component to the opportunities our pupils enjoy once they leave the School. Universities and employers increasingly demand a wide range of skills and experiences, and BCS now has a greater responsibility more than ever to focus on the overall development of their pupils.

At BCS we pride ourselves on our ability to ‘add value’ to each pupil’s education from 2 years old all the way up to A level. Individual needs are catered from across age groups, and girls and boys of differing abilities and interests flourish in our school environment.

Every day is an Open Day at BCS and you are very welcome to visit at any time. Our next official Open Days: BCS Prep - Lower ParkstoneTuesday 28th February, 2017. 9.30am - 12.00 noon.Thursday 11th May, 2017. 9.30am - 12.00 noon BCS Senior - SouthbourneFriday 24th February, 2017. 9.30am - 12.00 noon.Wednesday 10th May, 2017. 9.30am - 12.00 noon.

For more information, please visit www.bournemouthcollegiateschool.co.uk

www.bournemouthcollegiateschool.co.uk

"Macbeth doth

Murder sleep"

bcs performsmacbeth - bournemouth collegiate school · shakespeare wrote macbeth about 1606, just...

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