School Productions

NOUGHTS AND CROSSES

In March 2011 the senior school staged “Noughts and Crosses” based on a novel by Malorie Blackman.  The play is a hard-hitting drama set in an alternative society where the black people, known as Crosses, are dominant and occupy all important roles in society.  The white people – the Noughts – are subservient and are barred from all important roles in society and forced to attend alternative schools unless they pass a rigorous entrance exam.  The main story line concerns a forbidden relationship between Sephy, a privileged black girl, and Callum, a white boy who is the son of a militant man fighting against the government for equal rights. 

There are 30 + scenes in the play so it was staged on an imaginative composite set designed by Amanda Gwyne, Head of Art, and executed by Amanda Gwyne and Nina Blamire.  The backdrop consisted of various black and white images with white noughts and black crosses integrated into the overall design.  On the sides of the set were various slogans reflecting the animosity between the two factions.  Set changes were carried out by the cast who coped very well and moved the various pieces of furniture and props as quickly as possible, keeping up the pace of the drama. Costumes were simple, yet effective; the noughts wore white t shirts with a black nought and crosses wore black t shirts with a white cross. The rest of the costume varied according to the individual characters with often symbolic additions, for example the lawyers’ wigs, which worked very well. 

The leading roles of Sephy and Callum were played by two year eleven Drama students – Jade Donno and Arthur Geen.  Jade skilfully portrayed Sephy’s assertive, yet sympathetic character and coped admirably with the incredibly large number of lines involved.  She was able to show the many facets of Sephy’s character and was especially good at presenting Sephy’s sensitive side.  Arthur also rose to the challenge of learning so many lines and was especially good at presenting Callum’s assertive side, reflecting the passion and frustrations involved in being an inferior member of this society. 

The rest of Callum’s family was played by Heather Harvey, Tom Bent, Elisha and Oliver Hart who also gave excellent performances as did Eleanor Horne, Sam Kempster and Emily Barlow who played Sephy’s family. Other parts were played by members of years 7 and 8 and there is plenty of promise for the future.  It is difficult to single out individuals, as everyone did so well, but special mention should be made of Heather Harvey’s sensitive portrayal of Callum’s mother and Eleanor Horne’s spirited argument with Sephy in Act 2.  Tom Bent took on the challenge of playing an aggressive character for a change and showed that he has the ability to play complex roles.  As he and the other year 9 boys will be with us for at least another two years it seems that school drama will continue to flourish. 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who worked behind the scenes on this production, from those who prepared tea and coffee to those who collected properties and costumes.  Especial thanks are due to Mrs Norma Woodcock who co-directed with me and, as always, was an invaluable help. I am very pleased to report that she has indicated that she will continue to work on the production next year. 

Vanessa A Giles
Head of English and Drama