Shadow Puppets

Here they are!  Black card.  Cut out.  Shoved through laminator.  Skewers taped on.  And play!

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Digital Backdrop Collages

Here are some of the images which we used in the show- as projections to create backdrops for each scene- with which the performers then interacted in live performance.  They were created by taking samples from the hand-drawn ‘Bird Bonanza’ images by KS3 students (see the Gallery) and then collaging these together as different layers in Photoshop.  These layers were then merged with the actual shadow puppet cardboard cut-outs made by Sixth Formers, which had also been scannned into a computer to become digital images.  Story world images were more free-form and colourful, whereas for scenes in the Palace we had more formalised patterns which we created in response to learning about the design principles of ancient Islamic geometry.  These 150+ original images became Powerpoint slides and then finally were back-projected onto a dust sheet…

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Rehearsal Notes by Jasmin McMullan

The rehearsal process of any play, professional or amateur, is the creative epicentre of the production. Over the last few weeks cast and crew have been working tirelessly with Miss Stephens to learn lines (for some, this involves monologues that stretch out over several pages!), make masks and set, and start to shape the scenes in their own way. Somehow, in amongst the whirlwind of activity, they even managed to squeeze in some time to have a few laughs! The rehearsals have generally been selective- a small group would go away and prepare a scene while others would do the same, and they would share their work and give each other feedback. This style of creative rehearsal not only gives the students chance to put their own personal stamp on the play as actors, but is typical of many professional theatre companies such as Filter (whose rock and roll take on A Midsummer Night’s Dream the A level drama classes were lucky enough to recently watch- and even have a question and answer session with the company).

This production has been a uniting factor in the sixth form. The cast is made up of people who perhaps would not have all known each other well at the beginning of term, but were brought together by their love of theatre. As opening night draws nearer, the building feeling of excitement is tangible and contagious. The beginnings of the set are already up: ghostly tin foil imprints of a woman’s face floating above the drama students as they go about their lessons, vibrant birds inscribed by the lower school students, reminders to all that the end is near. The hard work put in by all involved is about to be rewarded…

More of Connor Palmer’s Rehearsal Photos…

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Poster-tastic!