12:52pm Friday 5th March 2010
By Andrew Carpenter
REVIEW: The Wtiches by Roald Dahl, The Bradfordians Dramatic Society, St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon.
This was a first rate production from a first rate company and what was particularly impressive throughout the play was the attention to detail.
The audience’s attention was immediately gripped with the shaft of white light that picked out the Boy, very well played by Charlie Dawson, and in fact the lighting was one of the key attributes of this production. It was cleverly used throughout as the scene changed from one part of the stage to another.
It was difficult to imagine that this production was being performed on a school stage because both the set and scenery/props were of the highest standard and really helped to make this masterpiece.
I particularly liked the way the front door was able to move from the back of the set to front stage to become the focal point of the hotel entrance scene. The special effects too, like the motorised mouse, the kitchen scene puppetry and the magic, were brilliantly conceived and executed.
It would be inappropriate to single out individual members of the cast for praise as this was a true team effort. However I must make special mention of the younger players, one of whom I’ve already mentioned, Charlie Dawson as Boy but also Edward Gabe as Bruno Jenkins. Two very confident young male players whose performances in the second half when mice were particularly entertaining.
Of course the witches must be mentioned and what a motley crew they were! I’m surprised there weren’t more cries from the very young audience members as these ladies were very eerie and most frightening, particularly when they removed their wigs.
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