Well, the final curtain has now fallen on another amazing show by the Drama Department.
Warminster School's Lower School production of Lord of the Flies at the Merlin Theatre in Frome was thought-provoking and moving and proved a demanding choice for both actors and directors. Based on the haunting novel by William Golding, the play is set on a tropical island. It is the 1940s and a group of English schoolboys are marooned after a plane crash. All the adults have been killed and we watch with horrified fascination as the thin layers of civilization are stripped away from the young protagonists and they are increasingly at the mercy of primitive fears, amoral hierarchies and bloodlust.
The boys and girls of Warminster rose to this sombre and difficult drama with energy and passion. Ralph was played by Patrick Williams, exuding the mild but determined manner of the noble young character who desperately tries to support weaker boys and uphold fairness and justice. Natasha Eeles used her height and voice to good effect and gave a convincing performance as the arrogant, charismatic Jack whose powerful personality comes to dominate and corrupt the other children. The dark, menacing character of Roger, played by Hannah Boyd, adds to the boys’ sense of hopelessness by pointing out that the adult world is too busy fighting a World War to come to their rescue. They must fend for themselves.
As the boys break up into two opposing 'tribes', their separation was cleverly evoked through the use of a gauze curtain which divides them on stage and becomes the barely visible barrier between civilisation and savagery.
Alex Shad played the role of Simon, conveying very well his sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Simon becomes the first victim of the boys' superstitious violence, killed before he can bring them news that they have no need to fear 'The Beast'. Tommy Joyce played a heart-breakingly vulnerable Piggy who endearingly proposes 'meetings' to hold back the anarchy. Piggy too is ritually slaughtered as the schoolboys descend into a vortex of tribal violence and the regime of Jack, the self-obsessed tyrant, prevails.
The bleak minimalist set, the ritualistic chants and movements, and some convincing individual performances, all contributed to make this a powerful visual and dramatic enactment of evil (almost) triumphing over good.
Head of Drama, Damian Todres says, "After 10 weeks of intensive rehearsals the pupils put on an amazing performance. As a show it has been problematic. The action takes place in at least three separate locations simultaneously, is very dialogue heavy and there are dark and mature themes throughout. We had to find lots of ways of making it
watchable and accessible for all. If you did not manage to make it to the shows, please contact the school for the professional DVD and photographs.
Miss Hooper and I do hope our audiences enjoyed the result and we do hope that you will return with us to the Merlin Theatre in November for the Senior School Show, Coram Boy."
