Lots of Drama But it is Drama in the good sense of the word. Not the kind of thing that lots of parents say at school Parents Evenings “She should be good at it, Mr Lawrence. We get lots of Drama in our house.” No. Good Drama.
Last week hosted a visit by the correctly titled theatre company Splendid Productions. They brought wth them their version of The Odyssey an interpretation that looked more at people’s reactions to Odysseus’s travels rather than the man himself. One of the ways they help make this work was by having Odysseus played by a wooden spoon. The three actors stayed at Chateau Lawrence for four nights and then went off to various schools to do their thing. They spent most of Thursday at my school where we also welcomed in students from five other international schools to watch the play with us, followed by a workshop led by the excellent actors. They were easy house guests, entertaining company, and splendid performers.
Quickly following on from that was an opportunity to go and watch my favourite play, Hamlet, on what would have been Mr Shakespeare’s 452nd birthday (if we accept that 23rd April was his birthday). The British Council hired out one cinema screen in a central KL mall for the evening and after speeches showed a filmed version of Hamlet, first performed at the Manchester Exchange Theatre with Maxine Peake playing Hamlet. I very much liked the play, especially as it was in the round, and thought that having a female Hamlet helped me focus more on the character of Hamlet rather than the celebrity actor who was playing it. Once again though I was irritated the a character who is meant to be in his early twenties, a student in Wittenberg, was played by a 40+ actor. While it not quite the crime of Stockard Channing playing a teenaged Betty Rizzo while aged 33 it still does not feel right. A late 30s / early 40s Hamlet who is denied his kingdom by his uncle can often lead to that Hamlet appearing inadequate an potentially justify the actions of Claudius in seizing the throne. Whereas a head-strong, no-fear-of-the-world 22 year old student whose Dad had just died and has lost his throne to his uncle? That sounds a far more appealing and exciting play to watch.
Trixie has been deep in rehearsals for The Lion King and has been practicing her extensive range of goofy expressions and noises as required in her role as Ed The Hyena. Never being shy about coming forward she is loving rehearsals. Rupert meanwhile charmed his way through his year six camps last week, in Langkawi. Despite there being transport problems right at the beginning in the form of coach with a flat tyre leading the party having to catch a later flight, he had a great time. He sang at the talent show evening, planted mangroves, swam in interesting places and got involved in painting a nursery. The hi-light of the week though was, according to him, witnessing one of the teachers getting stuck in some mud. Teacher misfortunes are always the most memorable.
Edwin then took part in the first dance competition with his new partner. They were classes as beginners in the couples cha cha cha and jive, but were clearly much better than beginners, as they stormed to a relatively easy victory in a field of complete beginners. Lexi and I, plus his partner’s parents are no keen for them both to enter a field where there is some genuine competition.