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It was originally staged in a small studio space with the seating in traverse (like a catwalk) with ten actors. Mrs Quick and her talented cast and crew sought to translate the production into IPS’s large proscenium arch stage with 26 actors; they succeeded brilliantly in achieving their aim. One of the original staging choices which Mrs Quick chose to retain was that all the set pieces were on wheels to enable smooth transitions between a multitude of locations. Messrs Ward and Baskett were kept busy in the workshop building doorframes and windows with which the cast could rehearse. These were ultimately deployed in carefully choreographed and seamlessly flowing ways in performance. Helpful use was also made of projection and a flown table to signal a shift of scene. Thanks go to the pupils on the production crew: Daniel Korhonen Cuestas, Eva Morris, Lucy Read, Kyra Shankar, Charlie Tebbutt and Zara Quazi for all their invaluable assistance. The dramatic and theatrical challenges of the play included a ball, a storm, heartache, and plenty of misunderstandings. Above all, the actors had to get to grips with the demands of Regency language, dress and manners. That they did so with such conviction and assurance is testimony to their

Leo Hincks (Edward Ferrars) and Maddy Hunter (Elinor Dashwood)

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY This year’s Upper Senior Production was an enchanting performance of Janes Austen’s Sense and Sensibility . The novel was adapted for the stage by Kate Hamill, who also took the role of Marianne in the play’s premiere at the Sheen Centre in New York City in 2014.

Rosie Wright (Marianne Dashwood) and Leo Hincks (Edward Ferrars)

John Middleton) and majestic Tabitha Gilbertson (Mrs Jennings) could easily have stepped, suitably bewigged, out of a Joshua Reynolds painting; Charlotte Glenister captured the vain and selfish Fanny Dashwood to a tee; Ed Walsh Taylor (Willoughby) cut a dash to set the Dashwood girls’ hearts a-flutter; Leo Hincks impressed as the ultimately dutiful, if duplicitous, Edward Ferrars; and Oscar Todman was solid in his role as the honourable and kindly Colonel Brandon. Well done to all of them, and to the excellent ensemble members we have not had room to mention here.

Charlotte Glenister (Fanny Dashwood)

(Elinor Dashwood) and Rosie Wright (Marianne Dashwood) who were flawlessly poised at the centre of proceedings throughout. Exuberant Josh Titchen (Sir

assiduous preparation. Amongst many lively and characterful performances, special mention must go to Maddy Hunter DRAMA SCHOLARS SEE HOUND Drama Scholars were delighted to head to Richmond Theatre to see The Hound of the Baskervilles . Directed by Lotte Wakeham, this energetic three-hander is an hilarious spoof of Sherlock Holmes’ most popular case. The farcical romp was packed with red herrings, speedy costume changes and a superb minimal set, all designed to let the production fly by at a fast pace. The Scholars were inspired by the comic storytelling teamed with sound effects and a genius lighting design that took us from Baker Street and stranded us on the Moor and into the Grimpen Mire.

We were treated to a range of performance techniques including multi-role, heightened physicality, mime, tableaux, and an array of accents that kept us laughing from beginning to end. It was such a thrill to be back in a theatre and a wonderful night was had by all. Mrs Kelly Quick, Head of Drama