SENIOR SCHOOL
This was a wonderful
artistic process for the
42 talented performers from
Guildford Grammar School
and Perth College, with
our 18-piece orchestra and
large back stage crew.
Matthew Healy as Javert.
talent well beyond his years as the deeply
conflicted Javert, delivering a powerful
rendition of his suicide song. Oliver Crofts,
as the love struck Marius, performed his
two songs, A Heart Full of Love and The
Café beautifully. The two comic characters
of Monsieur and Madame Thernardier,
played by Oliver Nuttall and Eilish Jones
respectively, carousing through their inn,
unashamedly thieving and stealing from
anyone and everyone, had the audience in
fits of laughter. The girls from Perth College
also delivered extraordinary performances,
with Emily Gelineau as Eponine singing with
great strength and insight, Emma Caddy
capturing the innocence of Cosette and
Siobhan Cotchin portraying the beautiful
fragility of the dying Fantine.
After procuring the performance rights,
we started rehearsing the songs in Term 1,
as it was crucial that the performers were
completely competent with the music and
singing. In Term 2 the staging came into play
along with the development of characters
and character relationships. Then came the
set build, costumes and lighting. With the
production, the excitement and expectation
was also building as rehearsals intensified,
culminating in a memorable stage production
of excellence. The drama productions are
always a worthy experience for students,
stretching and developing not only their
performance abilities, but increasing
confidence, interpersonal communication
skills, perseverance and learning to give
generously of oneself. Of course, there are
many people behind the scenes supporting
the process, including costumes, lighting,
sound, stage management, back stage
crew, box office, Front of House assistants,
publicity, hair and make-up.
Les Misérables represents a pinnacle in
Guildford Grammar School’s performance
history and is a testament to the gathering of
many talented people who are dedicated to
high standards, a professional approach and
the integrity of a creative process.
Ms Jane Diamond
Head of the Arts Faculty
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