TUESDAY 27TH & WEDNESDAY 28TH MARCH 2012

HATHEROP CASTLE SCHOOL PRESENTS

THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF

FOREWORD

Another Middle School Production and another year of great fun for all those

involved, including the adults. The children have, as always, been fantastic. There

are some large chorus numbers and this year’s Prep 3 girls have got involved fully

and shown great enthusiasm as part of the chorus. The children have been reliable

and have worked extremely hard to learn their lines and all the songs. Our band of

Argonauts have been enthused from the very beginning and they have enjoyed

rehearsing in their boat which they have made their own.

I am delighted to have been involved with this year’s Middle School Production

and to have watched the children grow in confidence and stature. Prep 5 and Prep

4 have taken to their parts with aplomb and the Prep 3 children have been very

positive about their involvement in such a large production. For some children it is

their very first time on stage and they have responded very well.

The play itself is a lively mix of music and action and remembering these children

are so young, they really make the story of Jason and his intrepid band of sailors

come to life. It has been a pleasure to work with Bethan Evans and Chris Page

again and all credit must go to them for conducting the rehearsals when I have

been unavailable. They have done a fantastic job and deserve a lot of the credit for

this evening’s performance. My thanks go to all the staff for their help with

costumes and the set, particularly Jenny Lay and Mandy Davies for the costumes

and Nigel Bailey and Sally Easterbrook for the “Argo”. Ed Parkin and Peter Dobson

have done a great job with the sound and Nigel Bailey with the lighting.

It has been really good to see so many of our senior pupils involved in this

production as part of their Art Award portfolio and my thanks and congratulations

go to all of them. I hope you enjoy this evening’s performance and thank you for

sending us such enthusiastic and committed children. In this notorious term for

illness, the children’s commitment has been tremendous and the Hatherop team

spirit has prevailed with children coming in for rehearsals and performances whilst

they have not been fully fit. Well done to everyone and thank you to anyone who

has done anything to help make this production a success.

Paul Easterbrook

Director

A s the opening song finishes, we learn of King Pelias' past evil deeds. He killed his brother Aeson

and forced his nephew Jason to flee, so he could rule

over Thessaly. Years later, however, Jason returns and

demands the throne back from his wicked uncle. Eager

to get rid of Jason again, Pelias tells him he can have the

throne if he sails to far-off Colchis and brings back the

legendary Golden Fleece. The headstrong Jason accepts the challenge and

assembles a daring crew, known as the Argonauts.

After a short time at sea the Argonauts are tempted ashore onto the island of

Lemnos, by its beautiful female inhabitants. The crew enjoys an extended stay

until Herakles and Atalanta threaten to leave unless their mission is resumed.

To make up for lost time Herakles organises a rowing competition which

brings them swiftly to the island of the blind king Phineus. This poor man is

tormented by the dreaded Harpies, who bully him and steal his food. After

relieving him of these torturous visitors the Argonauts sail the treacherous

waters between the infamous Clashing Rocks. With huge effort they make it

through unscathed, and head for Colchis to find the Golden Fleece.

Jason arrives at the court of King Aetes of Colchis and demands the fleece, but

with a little input from the cheeky Eros, god of love, he falls in love with the

king's daughter Medea, and she with him. Aetes will not easily give up the

fleece and asks Jason to first sow a ploughed field with seeds, to show his

worth. It is of course a wicked trap, and when the seeds yield a crop of vicious

warriors only Medea's cunning enables Jason to complete the task and escape

with his life. She then takes him and the Argonauts to where the fleece is

guarded by a fierce dragon, whose foul, fiery breath seems impossible to get

past. With yet more cunning this sticky situation is sorted and the fleece is

taken, much to the distress of Aetes, who is left to deal with a very angry

dragon!

Jason, Medea and the Argonauts triumphantly sail back to Thessaly to present

the fleece and claim the throne, but find Pelias is not ready to honour his part

of the bargain. He is, however, swiftly taken to task by the Argonauts and

receives a fitting punishment. The story ends with the new king and queen

being joyfully welcomed by the citizens of Thessaly.

SYNOPSIS

REHEARSALS

THE ARTS AWARD

The Arts Award is managed by Trinity College

London, and is an arts examination award. The

Arts Award supports young people, helping

them to develop their chosen performing arts,

whether that be photography, fashion, general

art or make-up. The Arts Award looks to

inspire people from the ages of 7-25 to enjoy

their chosen area.

There are five different levels to the Arts Award.

It helps children to develop their arts

knowledge, creativity, leadership and

communication skills. For the bronze Arts award you must complete four

stages; taking part in an arts activity, go to an arts event, study a hero or

heroine to do with your art and share your skills with others. With all of

the work you produce you must create a portfolio.

As part of my work towards the Arts Award I have produced this

programme for the middle school production of ’Fleeced’. I have also

taken some photos of the rehearsals because my chosen art is

photography.

Here at Hatherop, Mrs Easterbrook would like to invite pupils from Prep

6, 7 and 8 to participate in the Arts Award programme. Please speak to

Mrs Easterbrook if you are interested.