PRIVATE PEACEFUL TAKES SHAPE
Rehearsals are well underway for next month’s production of ‘Private Peaceful (Ensemble Version)’ and the Drama Department have been busy sourcing props and costumes. Given the timing of this show, when lots of other schools are thinking of marking the centenary next year, of the end of the First World War, we were delighted to meet Taff Gillingham from ‘Khaki Devils’. Taff formed ‘Kahki Devils’ with two partners in 2001, with a mission to improve historical accuracy in military uniforms, equipment, weapons and props for film, television and theatre productions. They hired equipment and costumes and offered consultation to the production company working on the 2012 film of ‘Private Peaceful’, and our cast from years 7-10, will benefit from such a professional experience.
Emily Harris, Head of Drama, explains further, “We have taken delivery of our set, which will offer a simple way of getting 42 scenes on and off stage. Some years ago, I went to see Damien Cruden’s production of ‘The Railway Children’ when it was first put on in London’s Waterloo Station. I was inspired by the moving platforms and how seamlessly they moved the action in and out. When thinking about ‘Private Peaceful’, I remembered this, and thought that staging this play in traverse would make sense of Tommo’s many different memories.”
The Sports Hall is set to become an installation of the Front Line, and we are looking forward to welcoming and enlisting our audience over four performances in June. Tickets are available to book through ticketsource.co.uk. We have a matinee for schools, which is also open to the public, on Wednesday 21st at 1pm. Evening performances will start at 7pm on Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd and Saturday 24th June respectively.