Drama

from The Peterite 2018-2019

Girls’ Swimming

BE OUR GUEST!

We have enjoyed another year of spectacular drama productions, including our biennial show Beauty and the Beast. Our pupil Rosie McLeish took a look behind the scenes to capture the show fever and spell-binding action.

Behind the scenes with the principals…

Alex Phillips (The Beast) and Ellie Spencer (Belle) gave me some insight into their characters. Spencer says “She can be very sweet and pure but she has feisty characteristics that come through, so I would say I’m similar to her.” Phillips however revealed that “I’m not a particularly angsty person to be honest, so the whole ‘everything’s so bad and depressing’ thing is difficult.” He’s been working on his roar and “taking steroids and hitting the gym” to help himself prepare for the challenge of the role. For Spencer, the journey through the rehearsal process hasn’t been easy. “It’s the confidence… I don’t do A Level drama so firstly it’s your doubt in yourself, but you’ve just got to keep practising,” she reveals. However anyone who saw her performance on stage will know that her worries were not remotely needed.

Say ‘Hello’ to the cast…

What’s been really lovely in this production is getting to know new people. Corny as it sounds, singing heartwarming classics while dancing (moving vaguely in time) in clothes you normally wouldn’t be seen dead in is a truly bonding experience. I can’t be the only one who finds the gaps between the years frustrating, and it’s amazing how fast you start to see other people in the cast in the corridors and start to say hello.

“Singing heartwarming classics while dancing (moving vaguely in time) in clothes you normally wouldn’t be seen dead in is a truly bonding experience.”

Beth Wheelhouse (Chip)

appreciates that “the princess isn’t the one who’s being saved… I like how the princess is the clever one and she saves, well, everyone.” Ellie Spencer (Belle) also approves of this “feminist icon” and also says she loves “that the villain doesn’t look like the villain.” Milly Gray (Babette) says “I love the atmosphere on Tuesday with everyone. There are pupils from ThirdForm to Upper Sixth working both on and off stage and you meet people you might not otherwise have known.”

Dan Hicks (Lumiere) - though “neither French nor a candlestick”, has been praised for his portrayal of the flirtatious flame to Babette, the feather duster. But the role is not without its challenges. Contained in the ‘Be Our Guest’ number is a fiery tango between the lovers, and Hicks confesses “The tango, given that Milly can dance very well and I can’t dance to save my life, is proving problematic.”

Who do you think is the most like their character?

Ellie: Mathis (Gaston) Jennie: Probably Mathis Harrison: Mathis I’d say Milly: I think Mathis is Dan: Mathis is a less exaggerated version of Gaston… However, Farah, Laura and Freddie (playing The Silly Girls) immediately responded differently. All: Us Freddie: We’re all obsessed with Mathis Farah: He’s so fit it makes me blush Laura: We don’t act: it’s just spontaneous. Farah: It’s not acting when it’s true love.

“We don’t act: it’s just spontaneous.”

So what does the man himself have to say on the matter?

“Well for me I’d actually say it’s quite hard,” Mathis Piquot claims. “It’s hard to act as a narcissistic brute… Gaston’s a really cocky, confident person, a very macho sort of guy.” Later he added modestly “Obviously, I am quite level-headed, and I’m not being cocky when I say that but I am very talented.” Spencer reveals her favourite part of the play is when she slaps him.

The play in three words:

“Pretty darn cool” “It is decent” “Male power fantasy” “Be Our Guest” “An absolute banger” “Fun, happy, loving” “People discovering beauty” “Be Our Guest” “The Silly Girls” “Maison des Lunes” “A Love Story”

Where did your acting careers begin?

“I was Joseph, and Mary came over the stage to whisper in my ear and I literally fainted.” Joe Raper

“I was one of the three wise men and we wore aristocratic clothes because it was set in France… well - we were told it was.” Harrison Gration

“I was the Angel Gabriel in the Nativity, obviously.” Mathis Piquiot

For others, it’s harder to pin down… “I see life as a performance.” Freddie Sharpe

And for some, it was clear that they were destined for greatness… “In Year 1 I was a bumblebee.” Ted Wordsworth

So why do we do this?

A production isn’t easy. You sacrifice time, energy and singing along far too loud to “Country Roads” because you know it will wreck your voice, which is your most precious possession. Well, Phillips sheds some light: “I might not remember my Physics A Level, but I am going to remember this.” I think he’s right. All experiences you have at school are important, but doing this slightly crazy, intense musical fest for three months might be one of your best choices while you’re here .