Drama and Theatre

Reviews: Year 11 Excursion to Sydney Theatre Co – Into the Shimmering World

Last night, the year eleven HSC and IB drama students had the opportunity to attend Into the Shimmering World by Angus Cerini. This play follows a rural Australian couple as they navigate grief that comes in many forms, I noticed that the themes and structure of this production very much mirrored the piece the HSC classes will be assessed on in June, Ruby Moon by Matt Cameron. It was incredible to see a play with such similar structure only four weeks before our performance evening as their use of elements of production to drive a five person play was incredibly inspiring. In particular, the use of sound (or the lack of it) and lighting design to build tension was particularly revealing as a simple silence made the audience question everything the play had previously told us.

This was until a thunderclap that felt like it shook the building itself accompanied by perfectly timed flashing lights brought us into a moment of joy with the couple, after months of drought, there was finally a storm. I look forward to continuing rehearsals with the insight this play gave me and I can only hope our duologues will be half as impactful when it comes time for us to perform.

Serafina Scotting, Year 11 HSC Drama

On Wednesday evening we were given the opportunity to see Into the Shimmering World by Angus Cerini, directed by Paige Rattray and produced by Sydney Theatre Company. A key takeaway for me were the outstanding elements of production and the interesting themes which were presented. One of the most poignant themes was water and the hope that it provides to rural farmers. This theme was represented through the lighting which would turn blue and the use of audio effects such as the sound of rain. Another apparent motif was the trees, which one of the protagonists, Ray, constantly brings up. This idea of trees allowed for the representation of life. This theme was often referred to through dialogue and props with the small tree saplings that stayed on the stage after they were brought on. Finally one of the other significant symbols is “The Crook” which represents death as he is constantly hunting. It is also implied that the stress he invoked is the reason Flossie, Ray’s wife, passed. “The Crook ” is only ever referred to through dialogue and sound effects of gunshots. This gives “The Crook” an ambiguity which relates to the mystery of death. Overall, the themes that were propelled by production elements in Into the Shimmering World helped build the play’s meaning.
Eshan Eliatamby, Year 11 HSC Drama

Redlands School Play

Following more than 70 amazing auditions and many callbacks we are thrilled to announce the cast for this year’s play:

Max Perry, Charlee Kwintner, Josh Farrant, Freya Kittle, Tali Feldman, Krishna Gupta, Millie Winton, Eshan Eliatamby, Aneke Golowenko, Liam Petersen, Remie Gibbs, Hiro Phillips, Megan Kirkpatrick, Abbie Sewell, Angus Baker, Jaiden Murphy, Betti Butcher, Jasper Houchell, Ben Hanning, Sarah Zeppel, Eliza Draper, Jasper Hanly-Atmore, Serafina Scotting, Juliette Treloar, Louis Abrahams.

Away is set in the Australian summer of 1967-1968 opening with an end of school term performance of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As families plan and depart on their Summer holidays, the Shakespearean themes of suffering and reconciliation persist. Curiously the different families end up at the same destination and are ultimately united during a fierce storm.

British immigrants Harry and Vic love their adopted country but are faced with their son Tom’s illness. Jim and Gwen fret over their daughter Meg’s blossoming independence and her friendship with Tom, of whom they do not approve. Roy (Tom’s school Principal) is unable to console his grief-stricken wife Coral following the death of their only son in the Vietnam war.

With the help of some Shakespearean fairies and a spectacular storm, these families are reconciled and face the future anew. This is a story about the coming of age of a group of individuals and the unification of the country in which they live. Despite being set almost 40 years ago, this multi-award winning play is as relevant as ever with its themes of reconciliation and loss.

Away is clever, funny and yet very moving. It is full of the familiar family ingredients, Gow has constructed a magical play that every Australian can relate to. It depicts the hopes of new generations, prompting us to consider what is ultimately most important in our lives. This play is a heartwarming, funny, yet serious reflection of who we are as Australians, it’s a story about our history, our lives and our dreams.

This will be a fabulous and heartfelt performance for all to enjoy at the Zenith Theatre (Chatswood) 8-10 August – ticketing information to follow.

Kathryn Smith

Drama and Theatre Extra Subjects Programme

Our wonderful Senior TheatreSports team competed against other schools in the state last week at Linfield Learning Village and this week our brand new Intermediate team went out to compete at the Tara girls school!

Both teams played extremely well! We wish to congratulate all our players on their exceptional improvisation and TheatreSports skills! It was a wonderful night representing Redlands!

Congratulations to our fabulous Senior team: Hallie Hunt, Sholto Mirrlees – Black, Remie Gibbs, Serafina Scotting and Juliet Treloar!

Congratulations to our fabulous Intermediate team: Hugo Burton, Mathew Krapovnitskiy, Liv Dijkstra and Eva Fitzhenry.

This is the first time these TheatreSports players have gone out to represent Redlands. They did exceptionally well in a very tight competition. They came in 4th place out of 9 schools and only missed out on going through to the next heat by 2 points! We are so proud of what they achieved on the night! What an outstanding first go!! Well done to the Intermediate team.

If you would like to come along to our free lunch time TheatreSports club and have a go at some wacky high energy games, we can be found in the Learning Hub on level 3, room 3.6 on Tuesday lunch time. All are welcome!

Housekeeping: We kindly ask that all parents and guardians be on time to the extra subject pick up locations after the classes finish. 

You will find the various finishing times and locations for Junior school pick up on the Redlands Drama and Theatre pulse page. If you are running late your child/ren will be taken to OOSH and you will be charged accordingly.  

If you have any questions, please email:

Drama@redlands.nsw.edu.au OR avirtue@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Thank you for your ongoing support of our fantastic extra subjects programme!

Amber Virtue
Head of Extra Curricular Drama
avirtue@redlands.nsw.edu.au

Put it in your diaries, Gala Arts will be returning to The Concourse, at the start of Term 3 on Friday 26 July.

Audition information is now available and forms can be found on the Gala Arts Audition iLearn Page.

Email galaarts@redlands.nsw.edu.au to be added. Auditions close and must be submitted online by 6pm on Friday 17 May.

Mrs Katharine Boase
Subject Coordinator of Dance
kboase@redlands.nsw.edu.au