Forward 2016 | Page 9

SENIOR SCHOOL

The God of Hell

Year 11 Drama production The God of Hell by Sam Shephard Directed by James Sollis
The recent Year 11 Drama production The God of Hell by American playwright Sam Shephard was directed by local actor / director James Sollis .
The ATAR drama students performed alongside Perth College girls , Eilish Jones and Edie Hooker , with all students tackling this gritty , topical play and its themes of republicanism and government control of its people .
The God of Hell is set in Wisconsin . Dairy farmers Frank ( Harry Weston ) and Emma ( Eilish Jones and Edie Hooker ), are visited by government official Welch , who preys on their innocence and good country ways , when we discover that Frank and Emma are hiding their friend , Haynes in the basement . Haynes is a suspected infiltrator and is being questioned and tortured by the government . As the play unfolds , dairy farmer , Frank is also manipulated and tortured .
Sam Tapscott .
Aiden McLaughlin .
The play was written at the time of American military abuse at the Iraqi prison , Abu Graihb and Guantanamo Bay . Playwright Shephard is uncompromising in his presentation of another point of view , insightful , raw , and honest , his plot unfolds revealing the murkiness of human treatment and the insidious nature of human control . Student performers Aiden McLaughlin , Sam Tapscott , Harry Weston , Eilish Jones and Edie Hooker performed their roles with convincing realism and insight .

Drama X and Y

Drama X students enjoyed Commedia Dell Arte workshops with Shane McMullen in Term 2 , exploring the stock characters of the Italian Comedy such as Pantelone , Il Dottore , Capitano and the hapless Zannis or servants . Drama Y students also enjoyed visits by external artists who taught them some circus skills , including juggling , diablo and flower sticks .

Poetry Week

Year 10 Drama students Christopher Cowcher , James Ford , Andre Giambazi and Scott Piper , donned a medley of costumes and wigs and read dramatic poetry for the Preparatory School students , as part of Poetry Week .
Mason Shephard .
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