Shake it up Shakespeare

On Tuesday 4^thApril the Assembly Hall on Cooper crescent was transformed into a mini-Shakespeare Globe for the Year 10 performance of Shake it Up Shakespeare. For this annual House Competition, each of the Year 10 tutor groups are directed in a different shortened version of a Shakespearean play by their Drama teacher’s, Mrs McDowell and Mrs Rees.

The performances kicked off with magic and mayhem from 10B in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, followed by a brooding 10E in Hamlet. The first act closed with a meddling Much Ado About Nothing from 10D. After an interval with refreshments provided by the canteen staff, the second act opened with 10C’s Romeo and Juliet set in the streets of Belfast and the evening finished with a playful reimagining of The Tempest from 10A.

The hard work of the last term really paid off for the 130 Year 10s involved in performing or producing the shows, as the audience of family and friends thoroughly enjoyed the evening’s entertainment. The most difficult task of the evening fell to the judges, Mr Colhoun, Ms Friel and Ms Davis, who had to decide on the winners of the various awards.

To celebrate their success Mrs McDowell and Mrs Rees hosted a cake fuelled Oscars Ceremony on Wednesday, with Miss Armstrong presenting awards for the following:

Best Design – 10A The Tempest

Best Couple – 10D Romeo and Juliet

Best Fight Scene – 10E Hamlet

Best Comedy and Death Scenes – 10B Midsummer Night’s Dream

Best Supporting Actors – Lucia McCusker and Alex Irvine

Best Actors – Arwen McCallum, and Alfie Pattison

The most coveted prize of Best Play went to the standout performance of Hamlet from 10E, who created an intense mood and atmosphere which had the audience truly in awe of the slick production and stellar performances from the cast.

In 2^ndplace came The Tempest, and Midsummer Night’s Dream in 3^rdplace.

To conclude the ceremonies, Mr Beddard revealed the House Points totals for the winners with all of the Year 10 receiving points for participation and a Certificate of Achievement. Regardless of whether they were on stage or behind the scenes, all the Year 10 involved worked with imagination, commitment and wonderful collective creativity, of which they should be very proud. Mrs McDowell and Mrs Rees are certainly very proud of them all and congratulate the Year 10 on their achievement.

Finally, a huge shout out to Pat, Neil, Brandon and Ross who transformed the hall into a theatre, the teaching assistants who cajoled and supported the pupils throughout, and also to the 6^thformers who helped out on the night and the canteen and admin staff for all their support. Thanks also to the Senior Leadership Team and Mrs Armstrong and Mrs McIntosh for their supervision and support on the night and finally to the teaching staff for their cover of classes whilst the rehearsals were underway.

Next up on the Drama Calendar is the Junior Play, Baskerville’s A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, which will be performed in the Steele Hall on Lough Shore on 16^thJune.