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This week, over 600 people came to see our Sixth Form production, RENT.
Georgie Nugent, Head of Academic Drama, tells us more…
“Such joy.
Such unmitigated joy. Those were the words that ran through my mind as I stepped out of the Bedales Olivier Theatre having been immersed in the RENT bubble for two wonderful hours on Tuesday night. Watching the Sixth Form production this week really was a joyous and brilliant moment in time that reminded us all that the students here really are exceptional; talented and courageous, committed and creative. RENT, a rock musical loosely based on the 1896 opera La bohème, tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in Lower Manhattan's East Village, in the thriving days of the bohemian culture of Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. It is hard to explain the HIV crisis to the current generation but this production certainly gave a poignant glimpse into its impact on communities across the world.
This was a wholly ensemble piece, with every cast member playing their role with remarkable confidence and authenticity. They found the humour as well as the deep sadness in this story of friendship and love against a backdrop of hardship and tragedy. It is quite astonishing that this production was put together in just six weeks, from auditions to performance, but there was no stopping the incredible and indefatigable creative team of Hayley Cole (Director of Dance & Drama), Neil Hornsby (Head of Contemporary Music), Harry Boulton (Assistant Director of Music), Liz Wood (Director of Dance & Drama), Joanne Greenwood (Theatre Designer & Production Manager), Chloe Horton (Teacher of Dance & Drama and Drama & Dance Administrator) and Old Bedalian George Veys. The result was a production that will be remembered for a long time to come.”
Here are what a few other audience members said about it:
“It was truly fantastic, the acting, the singing, the music, all coming together with very clever and subtle directing and staging, a real pleasure to watch from beginning to end. I could hardly believe it had been two hours.”
Kevin Fondain, Head of Drama, Winchester College
“Congratulations on RENT, I was hugely impressed. What an undertaking! Cleo and I enjoyed it immensely, and I must admit found it really very poignant at times. The whole production screamed of professionalism and was a feast for the eyes and ears. Wonderful stuff.”
Tom Kirkham, Parent and Founder of The School Musicals Company
“Thank you for a totally brilliant show! We were bowled over by it. What a tremendous piece of theatre and music, set, songs, dances. Very moving but hugely life affirming too. Thank you for staging another spectacular. Lucky audience and lucky kids!”
Simon Kingsley-Pallant, Head of Drama & Dance at Bedales Prep
As Georgie suggests in her review, RENT was a bold choice for a Sixth Form play. We asked Hayley Cole, our Director of Dance & Drama, to tell us a bit more about why she chose it.
“Ever since I saw RENT in 2016 I have been determined to direct it. It was pivotal in my study of drama, but when you mention it to others, they were either part of the RENT following or don’t know the musical at all. Indeed, a member of the company told me no one under the age of 40 knows it!
When I chose it for a school production, the standard reaction was “that’s brave”. Few schools choose to do it, but if anywhere can, it’s Bedales! Here we make a point of introducing and exposing our students to a range of challenging issues, as well as political and potentially complex contexts.
Plus, this year’s Sixth Form were the perfect cohort. RENT is a beast to take on vocally and musically but Neil and I knew these were the kids who could do it…and do it they did!
Not only are they the right age to take on the plot and characters with sensitivity and maturity, they are also an incredibly talented bunch of actors, singers and musicians. Most are scholars and hoping to go on to a career in the Arts.
The Sixth Form Show is designed to replicate a near professional experience for students where they audition and perform a play within half a term. But we have never done a musical. To have been able to do so with such a talented and passionate group of people in just six weeks, will always be the absolute highlight of my career. My favourite reaction to the night was from an audience member who told me 'that was not a school production!'"
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