A Bumper Drama Digest

Thursday 8th August 2024

It's been a busy few weeks for our Drama students, with their annual trip to the Court Theatre, The Year 13 Major Production, a Shakespeare performance at Otago University, and even an award at TheatreFest!

Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba. — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

Part 1: Something Rotten

Some of the drama parents out there might vaguely remember quite an early start on the last Friday of Term 2 - to everyone who braved the morning and helped us make it all the way to Christchurch and back, we can't thank you enough!

But it became pretty clear it was all worth it as we made our way to the Court Theatre for the schools' matinee of Something Rotten. The fully professional production was back for a return season after critical acclaim, and with a cast and crew Q&A to follow, what better way for our students to get to experience live theatre at its finest.

Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba. — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

And it was a brilliant production - the entire cast were incredible. Matu Ngaropo's hilariously over-confident William Shakespeare was definitely a crowd favourite! The lighting and costumes were impeccable, and so was the music. There's something utterly captivating about musical theatre when all the elements come together in just the right way - and the students were stoked to be able to experience the magic. A big thank you to our own Ms Fridd and Ms Bercinskas of Columba College for organising the trip!

Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba. — Image by: Peter Claman

Part 2: The Boy Who Blew Up the Pandemic

After a short break it was straight back to the rehearsal room for our Year 13 students, whose production of 'The Boy Who Blew Up the Pandemic' was fast approaching in Week 2 of Term 3. Despite a few setbacks with cast illness, the students had worked hard on the production, and after putting in a couple of extra rehearsals - they were ready to give it their all.

Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

For the uninitiated, 'The Boy Who Blew Up the Pandemic' by Ken Mizusawa revolves around a boy named Kevin, played by three actors - Alice Johnston, Cody Byck and Grace Hill. Kevin believes he is responsible for the order of the universe and he follows his daily rituals fanatically - but when his routine changes one day, everything starts going wrong with the Covid-19 pandemic. Kevin believes he has caused the disorder that follows.

It was difficult subject matter for the students to pull off convincingly - the pandemic is of course close to home for all of us, but the script challenged them to think outside themselves within that situation to play roles like teachers, counsellors, parents, protestors and of course the multi-faceted Kevin himself.

Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

Performing to a full turnout of friends, family and teachers - all of the students did a great job at capturing their characters and keeping the performance true to the subject matter and with the right amount of gravitas. At the same time, they kept it entertaining and fun to watch with some great moments of humour shining through in the frank interactions between Kevin and his parents and classmates.

We were really pleased with how the show came off and I was even more pleased to hear they all passed with flying colours! A big thank you to Alice, Cody, Grace, Harry, Leila, Monet, Simon & Tessa for your courage and hard work on this performance. And a special thank you to Glenn, Harper and Reid for helping behind the scenes with stage & technical management and lighting!

Major Year 13 Drama Performance - The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

Part 3: Henry V at the University

Not to be outdone by our Year 13s, the Year 11s and 12s were hot on their heels with a performance at the University of Otago that Thursday - they had been invited to perform their winning piece from the Shakespeare in Schools Competition.

Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre. — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

It was excellent to see the boys perform their own take on Shakespeare - taking the script (originally written around 1600) and applying it to a military scene, with all members of the cast light strikingly by torchlight alone, accompanied by a lone strumming guitar. You could see how they'd picked up the win earlier on in the year!

Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre. — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

It was great to see Glenn Ericsson taking the forefront in the lead role - the previous weekend he'd even picked up an award at TheatreFest 2024 alongside his peers from Columba - nice work Glenn! Thanks to Andrew, Ben, Glenn, Harper, Reid, Tee and Tim for sharing this great performance with us.

Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre. — Image by: Kimberley Fridd

Take a look at the photo gallery below if you'd like to see more pictures from any of these events!

Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Annual Combined Drama trip to Christchurch with Columba.
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Year 13 Major Drama Production -The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Major Year 13 Drama Performance - The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Major Year 13 Drama Performance - The Boy Who Blew up the Pandemic
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
Senior Drama students perform their Henry V scene at the University of Otago's Lunchtime Theatre programme, at Allen Hall Theatre.
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