School Play

ORCHESTRA

The School Orchestra split into two groups from January onwards. The string players, under Mr. C. G. Sandercock, practised and performed separately from the wind section. At the combined concert in Queen Anne's Hall, the string group performed two pieces very creditably. The wind group, led by Mr. K. R. Pemberton, also performed successfully at this concert.

During the term the Orchestra provided the accompaniment for the hymns in Hall services; this was extended to include an experimental brass element during the summer. Although the two groups did not work for a concert in the latter term, practices continued and much valuable sight-reading knowledge was gained.

Next term musicians of St. Peter's and Queen Anne will team-up to provide accompaniment to Ibsen's "Peer Gynt". E.R.W.

THE CHORAL SOCIETY

The liaison with Queen Anne School, commencing from the start of the Christmas Term, was continued during the Easter Term and throughout the summer. The efforts of the Easter Term culminated in a performance of Sir C. V. Stanford's "Songs of the Fleet" in Queen Anne's Hall. The inspired singing of the Society and the soloist, Mr. P. Mindenhall, drew many favourable remarks from a very appreciative audience.

During the summer, pressure of examinations limited the number of voices in all ranges; however, the decrease in numbers allowed us to sing some very pleasant madrigals ideally suited to a small group of singers.

I think it is necessary to point out to members of the School that a Choral Society exists largely through sheer weight of numbers, with, perhaps, several prominent singers in each voice taking the lead. Enthusiasm within the group is very high and we all look forward to next term's activities.

E.R.W.

ZIGGER ZAGGER

Through the turnstile, and with the roar of a football crowd, the rattles going like crazy.

We, the audience, become part of the scene: the hooters, the chanting. We even rise to join the singing.

The Set might be Anfield, or Elland Road, thanks to Dobbins and his men. There are footballers practising, and community singing. A motley gang of fans dominate the terraces, under their cheer-leader "Zigger' (A. G. B. Perks). They are now menacing, now ribald; fickle and shallow.

Harry is contemporary Youth, frustrated by his environment. He seeks self-fulfilment from a Youth Officer who fobs him off with a 15

Production Line; from the Army which rejects him, and from the Church which tries to con him.

For a time he is on the fringe of Zigger's gang, but the glamour is empty even here.

As Harry, C. J. Smith is first enthusiastic then hesitant then disillusioned. The change of mood is convincing. Well done!

R. J. Dunk is a complacent and bureaucratic Youth Officer, while, perhaps even more soul-destroying, is the aura of cant emanating from A. M. Buckman as Vicar. Both good.

A. G. Beadnall does well as an irritable and self-satisfied Headmaster. The rest of the Establishment—teacher, caretaker and dentist—are also insensitive to Harry's problem, breaking off from time to time for a prancing circuit of the stage, symbolic of the circus ring of life.

The world touches Harry briefly: the students are palely pacifist, and the Army authorities give an amusing but discomforting parody of a Medical Board. Magistrate and club Chairman are portentous.

Outstanding is J. C. M. Hudson's portrayal of an old soldier, with a failing strength unequal to his spirit in the face of Zigger's hyena pack.

The emptiness of it all is epitomised by Vincent's (M. S. Bidgood) cynical desertion of "City" on transfer. Harry's disillusionment, always there in suspension, becomes crystallised. With no real hopes he returns to the "Circus". We all wish we had an answer for him.

Mr. Oxley's production has vitality and pace, with characteristic flashes of "Anger".

I. A. Armitt has arranged, and plays, the brash music so much part of the show. On the second night he is stricken with measles. Colin Walker gallantly deputises and, after frenzied preparation is—a huge success : like the whole ebullient evening.

J.P.R.

PROGRAMME NOTES

`Zigger Zagger' was specially written in 1967 by Peter Terson for the National Youth Theatre. It is a study of a football hooligan but Terson's main concern was the emptiness and futility facing so many youngsters pitched out of secondary schools at 15 into dead-end jobs, not knowing where they are going or why. "This is about a boy who leaves school," he wrote, "with wasted years behind, with nothing in front of him . . . and the only immediate present—Football."

Harry Philton is a mixture of innocence and dumb insolence, of inarticulate self-respect and total lack of sophistication. The future the Establishment 'circus' holds out for him—a steady job and respectability —is utterly unattractive, yet he is soon disillusioned by the superficial glamour of the other circus—Football. That, in the end, he sets a faltering foot on the road pointed out to him by the Establishment, should not be taken as a permanent and happy answer to Harry's deep need of direction in his aimless life. As Peter Terson wrote: "What I wouldn't like is for Harry to 'mature' or have a vision of himself by the end of the play. I want him to be as easily led at the end as at the beginning."

So much cutting, re-writing, and adding of new material has taken place that this production is virtually an original work. Rehearals have proceeded on a workshop basis, the full cast coming together only three days prior to the performance. Some 70 boys will appear on stage, and over 100 boys have been involved in some way in the production.

D.S.O.

THE TEAMS THE CURTAIN RAISER

Devised and performed by IVth Form English, Set IV Magistrate ... A. B. L. Sherris Thugs G. W. Monaghan, M. Yule, P. M. A. Taylor, R. C. Parker, J. N. Exell, C. D. Lang, J. R. Woodcock, A. M. Clayburn. Citizens P. B. Johnston, C. N. Hazel, C. T. Bough, S. A. Coates-Walker, I. Gray, D. W. Shields, M. P. Goldthorpe, R. D. Moore.

Referee D. C. P. Storie

Footballers Reader A. F. Harben, R. N. Kerruish. S. G. D. Kirby

Harry Zigger Dentist Youth Officer Headmaster Recruiting Sergeant Caretaker ... Medical Officer ... Teacher Old Soldier ... Students

Letter Readers

Magistrate Chairman Vicar Vincent The Kop Choir

ZIGGER ZAGGER

C. J. Smith A. G. B. Perks L. C. Hall R. J. Dunk A. G. Beadnall S. D. Jeffrey P. A. E. Challis C. G. Robertshaw M. R. McMahon J. C. M. Hudson C. N. Hazel, S. P. G. Muirhead, T. J. C. Mitchinson, J. M. F. Cluff. D. F. Richardson, P. A. Scott, 0. N. Adam, N. Gray. R. A. Scott R. T. Tasker A. M. Buckman M. S. Bidgood J. E. Cresswell, M. W. Berry, R. A. Pinder, J. M. Pyrah, S. W. Mason, F. C. Crowther, R. R. R. Clayburn, P. J. Webster, A. R. Cossins, C. D. Auburn, P. J. Strachan, P. N. Withers, P. W. Brumfield, W. J. Clappison, J. B. Littlefield, D. C. Bryson, S. J. Tomlinson, R. A. Elwen, M. S. Bruce, T. J. Ward, R. D. Miiliki n. I. A. Armitt