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School Productions
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| The Rhoda McGaw Theatre has recently witnessed an invasion – of cowboys and cowgirls! Students from the Winston Churchill Sports College took over the theatre in late January to launch their inspired, rip-roaring, thigh slapping, toe tapping, highly energised and utterly original production of ‘Calamity Jane’ on the good citizens of Woking.
This was the fourth consecutive year in which the school had been able to take up the opportunity to perform on a professional stage and they certainly went about their task with enthusiasm and commitment. Indeed, there were times during this magnificent show that it was hard to believe that we were not on the stage of a top West End theatre, so good were the acting, singing, dancing and technical performances.
The cast of over 80 was drawn from students across the age ranges and included a live seven piece pit band with over thirty students helping out additionally backstage.
Any play is only as good as the cast that perform it, however, and this production was no exception, led from the front by the magnetic and charismatic Hannah Bracher in the title role of Calamity Jane. She performed her role with a professionalism and dedication that belied her young age and dominated the stage from beginning to end. She is a star in the making and someone to watch out for in the future, if this performance is anything to go by. She was strongly supported by Rhys Wilson who put the ‘Wild’ into Bill Hickock and by Nick Beesley, the romantic leading man, performing Danny Gilmartin with ease and confidence. Sophie Alvis appeared in the role of Katie Brown, a delightful supporting lady, with a sublime voice that echoed around the theatre.
However, this was a production that featured many, many other strong performances. Danny Gortier was outstanding as Francis Fryer, the song and dance man from New York, combining humour and hilarity in a role that pushed his undoubted talents to the limits- and he was not found wanting! The audience were left simply cheering for more after his gleeful performance of ‘Hive Full Of Honey’. Alice Dillon was charming as the dutiful and long-suffering Susan, daughter of the proprietor of The Golden Garter, Mr Henry Miller. This was a strong cameo performance by Mark Notley, full of wit, charm and warmth. He led the cast on many occasions and proved himself to be an actor of real depth and quality. Charlotte Edwardes and Laura Braithwaite shared the role of Adelaide Adams and both actresses displayed sensitivity and originality in their individual and unique interpretation of the character. However, it was the supporting role of the Five stage door groupies that proved one of the highlights of the evening. Ross Fernando, Peter Atkins, Sam Oliver, Mark Barac and David McCormick gave an hilarious, side-splitting, almost riotous version of ‘It’s Harry I’m Planning To Marry’, which will stay in the memories of all those who witnessed it for many a year!
Kalvind Vadi showed sensitivity as Doc and was ably supported by the promising young actor James Thomas and the versatile Ross Fernando as Pete and Hank. Harry Bennett was seemingly on stage in every scene as the Golden Garter’s Joe, the Barman, running a well stocked and highly organised bar at the centre of everything that happens in the City of Deadwood. David McCormick reprised another part as Fort Scully Colonel with kindliness and understanding. Alix Witheridge and Matt Brook reprised Rattlesnake admirably and it was a delight to see promising young actors such as Remi Brand coming to the forefront with his role as Cowboy Jim.
The cast were all supported strongly by Eloise Garbutt, Danielle Harrup, Louise Mills, Rohma Mirza, Daisy Tutty, Josephine James, Amritha Vadi, Ella Billingham, Elliot Weaver, Piers Williams, Tom Fox, Tom Sheridan, Danielle Heal, Lily Bohling, Megan Adams, Evie Laidlaw, Amber Miller, Tom Chitson, Poppy Akers, Emma Harding, Charley Rousell, Molly Hart, Amba Hamilton, Jess Hearn, Katie Jarvis, Rebecca Jenkins, Robyn Townsend, Henry and Laura Suggitt, Joe Shepherd, Jazmin Ward, Ashleigh Cotter, Helena Randall, Olivia Turner, Jess Burrage, Abi Fuller, Ella Harrup, Molly Leopold, Emma Riggs, Jade Dallow, Katie Pope, Sam Oliver, Mark Barac, Peter Atkins, Alice Turner, Mia and Freddie Underwood, Abi Hill and Jessica King.
Simon Jolly was the show’s musical Director, working with his pit band to produce a quality, depth and range of music that is rarely heard in School drama productions. The outstanding pit band consisted of Abi Brewster on violin, Daisy Akers on the cello, Tash Stevens on flute, Paul Ooi on guitar, Elliot Phelps on trumpet, Anthony Grobler on drums and Raj Majitha on saxophone.
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| | | Important in any production is the strength of the technical crew and this show was no exception. Jon Grilli was the lighting manager and, along with his crew, produced a technical performance that would have been a credit to any West End show. Laurence Parkins and Chris Roff worked the lighting board, supported by Tom Seaman on spotlight, Andy McLeans and Helena Relf on sound and Cameron Irving on the television cameras, that added a whole new dimension to the show.
Running a huge show as this cannot have been easy for the Stage Manager, Sam Brook, admirably assisted by Kelly Biggins and Bethan Bowdrey but they managed the show with a level of professionalism and commitment that was quite remarkable.
Helping out backstage were Georgia Beech, Lydia Davey, Aimee Hopson, Amy Weston, Zoe Anderson, Katie Willmott, Kirstee Hughes, Sarah and Lisa Vordermeier, Ellie Crone, Robbie Bartlett, Morgan Smith, Aidan Edgerton, Chris Adams, Jack Garland, George Brown, Jordan Anders, Toby Allan and ‘Fish’.
Dance routines were choreographed by Carla Fox and Lucy Naylor, ex-Winston Churchill Students who returned to the school for this production, bringing with them dance routines that exhibited originality, inventiveness and a creativity that was exhilarating to watch. They were superbly supported and advised by Mrs Jane Bell from the PE Department
Calamity Jane was directed by Simon Donaldson, the Winston Churchill Sports College Head of Drama, ably assisted by Miss Emma Webb, also from the Drama Department. | | | | | | | | | |
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A Midsummer Night’s Dream 2009 This Years School Production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ opened to fantastic reviews. | 
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| In the week beginning Monday 18th January, over 100 students from all year groups took part in this years Winston Churchill School production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ at the Rhoda McGaw theatre, Woking. It was the third year running we had taken our production to the professional theatre and it was yet again a huge success. Performing to nearly a thousand people over a four night run from Wednesday to Saturday reminded all staff, students and parents what a vastly talented group of actors, singers and dancers, Winston has. Taking on such a vast project using original Shakespearean text of the first time in the schools history was brave but ultimately paid off with a superb performance. With a beautifully edited script from Mrs Jones, original music by Mr Jolly and ex student Aaron Holcombe, along with great choreography from Miss Castell and colourful costumes from Mrs Bell the performance had the foundations for a success and the students did not let anyone down. With sell out audiences each night consisting of a mixture of students, parents, teachers and public, all saw a unique and original show which appealed to all ages and showed Shakespeare in the exciting way that it should be performed. All the lead characters learnt their lines superbly which resulted in no prompts throughout the run and all the technical elements came together to create a tremendous show. Well done to all involved a big thank you to all who supported the performance and I’m sure we all look forward to next year.
C Beaney
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| OLIVER (2008) | 
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| OLIVER! What a great week as all the students involved did themselves proud. This year for the first time every night was sold out at ‘The Rhoda McGaw’ Theatre from Wednesday 30th January – Saturday 2nd February. Throughout the week there was a high standard of acting, dancing and singing on stage and they were superbly supported by a committed technical and backstage crew and a great orchestra. Below are just some of the many emails received showing how many staff and parents enjoyed it.
My family and i went to watch Oliver last night, and just to let you know we thoroughly enjoyed it !! it was Fantastic !! The acting and singing was superb , We would happily watch it over again. Well done to every one involved !
Best wishes Mrs.Rebecca Cuss
I’ve been a teacher here for 7 years and this show is the best one YET!
I cannot believe the number involved and what a large proportion of the show they had to all learn and perfect.
IT WAS PERFECT!
Well done Everyone!
Mrs Devine
Just wanted to congratulate you and all those involved in the wonderful production of Oliver. What an amazing bunch of talented young people you have at the school.
We with family & friends watched 3 of the performances and thought each was spectacular. Many of the cast were comparable with actors from London shows.
Please pass on our thanks & best wishes to the cast, orchestra, backstage, front of house and everyone who contributed to make the show the success it was.
Tim & Sally Hearn
My wife and I had the pleasure of watching the school production of Oliver this weekend and I have to say how much we enjoyed it and were thrilled by the enthusiasm and professionalism of the cast. I have to confess a personal involvement as our grandson (Laurence Tidy, AKA Fagin) was in the performance, but we were so impressed by all of the players. I think that congratulations and thanks should be given to Mr Beaney and the many other members of staff who have given their time and expertise to make this such an enjoyable production. I hope that you will pass this note of thanks to all concerned as bringing nearly 100 students together in this way requires dedication and, I suspect, a great deal of patience and understanding.
My thanks to you all. | 
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