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| The Website for all former pupils of the Prescot Grammar Schools |
| The School has
always been proud of its annual play production
and vi good reasons, because it has aquired, not
only a reputable history, but a standard of
presentation approaching that of first class
amateur societies indeed some of the more
flattering patrons press a professional status
upo the Society 1 This year there were ripples of
excitement and apprehension vl it was learnt that
the play was to incorporate, not only female
characters but real female actors. Gone were the
days of attempting the nigh impossib! feat of
creating a coy, blushing maiden from the rugged,
lusty material contained in a third or fourth
year boy. Naturally with a mixed group of actors
and actresses, the choice of play was less
restricted and the producer selected] Ustinov's
"Romanof and Juliet". The movement away
from traditional "school plays" has
been an encouraging feature of drama at P.G.S.,
but the attempt to create real theatre within a
school obviously makes terrific demands upon both
producer and produced. Initially the great concern was, despite the interests of the popular press, to remove all notions of a gimmicky production and this was successfully accomplished. The audiences immediately accepted the strange sight of girls from P.G.G.S. treading the boards of the Spencer Briggs Hall with skill and enthusiasm. It is never easy to be selectively critical of members of a cast, because the overall impression taken away by an audience is a fusion of all the individual roles plus the visual effects of set, lighting and makeup. However, it would be remiss not to mention the most impressive split-level, open- fronted set, incorporating two embassies and a town square with a clock-tower. The attempt at creating depth with the use of lighting and backcloth came over well, as did the use of the entire width of the stage. This setting was an original, designed and built for this production, and was not cribbed from the professional stage. Against this ambitious set, the characters played out their modern fairy-tale of East-West politics. Steven Jones, as the General, was quite impressive and brought a sensible interpretation to the script. Barry Jflnsberg (Hooper Moulsworth) maintained his American accent and had a powerful delivery, whilst Philip Ashton (Vadim Romanof ) was rather stiff and formal , using gestures perhaps beyond the bounds of the character. Tony Stein (igor Romanof) gave a sound portrayal in spite of his lack of stage experience, but as the tender scenes with Juliet (played very capably by Barbara May) developed, he lapsed somewhat as the strain told. John Robinson (Spy) was far tod conscious of the presence of the audience and played the part for laughs - almost waiting for audience approval before delivering his "punch-lines". Carol Quirk (Beulah.) was just right as the demanding and dominant American wife, but Janet Longman as the Russian equivalent, needed a little more liveliness to quicken the pace. Derek French (Freddie) had difficulty with his accent, and his wooden stage gestures Left something to be desired. George Wood (Archbishop) was a remarkably decrepit person, and brought a degree of relevance to the part . If we are to
judge the presentation oy professional (or good
amateur) standards, then the makeup was below
par, but even so it was most acceptable and is
sure to improve. The fact that mistakes are made
is inevitable, but the important thing is that
there are more and more boys involved in
back-stage work. If these comments are harsh,
remember the members of the Society want to be
judged in "real theatre" terms. CAST LIST First
Soldier......John Saunders |