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Feigning surprise and with a carefully placed tear in each eye, the tutor accepts his award at one of the increasingly frequent ceremonies to which the theatrical world seems addicted. Then addressing the audience he subjects them to an impossibly long list of those without whose help "none of this would be possible".' |
| ' The Belmont list is just as long as that of any West End production but I must be content with mentioning just a few. At the top of the list is Michael Caswell who ensured that the Belmont boards were kept well trod, directing a variety of productions from Pantomime to Theatre of the absurd! At extraordinary short notice he produced 'A Resounding Tinkle' for the Hereford Drama Festival, the play was awarded the Wye Cup for 3rd place and Mike was given warm praise for his talent as a director by the Festival Adjudicator. A wardrobe mistress I knew once described actors as 'glorified coat hangers'. She was almost proved right when an intrepid group of Vlth formers volunteered their services for a Restoration Pagent at Raglan Castle. The exquisite and remarkably authentic costumes were provided by the Welsh College of Music and Drama who also organised a battle and a banquet, all of which added to the confusion and amusement of visitors to the castle. On Speech Day '83, the well worn and mud splattered 'Canterbury Tale' costumes were given another airing, in a short musical presentation of the by now very familiarT ales. Complete with a portable shrine of St. Thomas we rehearsed for an outdoor drama on the Monastery lawn with special effects in the form of the Abbey bells provided by D. Bernard, connected to the frantic director by D of E Land radio. Unfortunately the Patron Saint of Actors must have been on tour that day as a steady downpour forced us to move to the Gym, where a spirited and loud performance, minus bells was well received by a discerning audience of Belmont parents. The major dramatic event of 1983 was the Xmas production of 'A Voyage Round my Father". After Godspell's popular acclaim I felt it was time to attempt something of a more serious nature that would present a challenge to those involved. Technically the play is a very demanding one requiring a complicated lighting plot, and the complete concentration of the A.S.M.'s for some very tricky backstage and on stage manouvres. Both were executed with consumate skill and an impressive professionalism which Belmont audiences have come to take for granted. Peter Russell, lighting Director, and the stage hands deserve special thanks for their work on this production. In the very superstitious world of theatre Green is considered the most unlucky of colours, to be avoided at costs. Undaunted by this spectre Sandy Elliot designed and constructed with her faithful band of nocturnal helpers an extremely effective green set dominated by a vast movable trellis lowered to a precocious angle for the final scene of the play. Rehearsals carried out in near arctic conditions were remarkably calm and almost enjoyable. The Director had one or two minor tantrums but nothing compared to previous years, being restrained by Roy Lillyman's constant and much appreciated presence. Roy's talent for co-ordinating and organising was invaluable. With a remarkable appreciation of the play and understanding of character and mood the cast gave four excellent performances. C.J. Watson 'Father' and Mark Abbot 'Son' were hailed by all for their outstanding performances. This was however essentially a team effort and ranks high in Belmont's excellent dramatic tradition. D. Antony |