Senior House Drama

Posted: 07/03/2018

Not to be outdone by the very severe weather over the past week, the slightly-postponed 2018 House Drama Competition was a resounding success and the standard was higher than ever. Ably adjudicated by professional actor and Guildhall graduate, Mr Ed Sayer, almost 100 students performed eleven pieces – one from each House – over the course of 100 minutes – no mean feat.

It was terrific to see so much dedication and enthusiasm from so many young performers and directors. From the chaotic, craziness of Housman Hall’s performance of The Kitchen by Arnold Wesker featuring a stage crowded with mad international chef’s, to the magnificently haunting Expressionist production of Berkoff’s Metamorphosis by Elmshurst each House presented a series of carefully crafted, memorable stage pictures.

Wendron-Gordon received a special award for their hugely enjoyable performance of Civil Rogues that required three of W-G’s stalwart rugby players to don farthingales and 17th century wigs to play the three Shakespearean actors on the run from Roundhead forces. Timely elegance and rapier wit was provided by Mary Windsor and Hazeldene with pieces by Noel Coward and Oscar Wilde, repectively, but thoughtful comedy from Lupton and School House presenting Giles Havergal’s Travel’s With My Aunt and EWedekind’s Spring Awakening were also particularly noteworthy.

Special mention must also go to Thomas Cookes House with their riveting extract from Arthur Miller’s A View From The Bridge, Holly N was utterly riveting as Eddie Carbone.

Runner up for Best Actor went to Phoebe F for her pitch-perfect, charming portrayal as Lily Smalls and a gossiping neighbour in Oakley’s very classy, beautifully controlled production of Under Milk Wood which also deservedly won Best Play. Their ensemble playing was of a professional standard.

Another ensemble piece and runner up for best play was Elmshurst’s intense and highly physical Metamorphosis, dominated by the Best Actor of the evening, Timofey A for his portrayal of Gregor Samsa, a young man transformed one morning into a beetle. The terrifying final image he gave us at the very end of all the performances will long remain in the memory.

A truly great evening and huge congratulations are deserved by all.


Did you miss Senior House Drama earlier this week? You can now watch the full recordings on our YouTube Channel here.