Introducing our Open Air Stage and The Priory Players
National Poetry Day at St Augustine’s Priory culminated in a gathering in the Meadow on the evening of Thursday 8th October to celebrate both the opening of our new Open Air Stage and the launch of The Priory Players, our new Sixth Form theatre company.
The evening was clear and bright and we were delighted to welcome Mel Giedroyc to cut the ribbon on the newly-constructed stage, accompanied by Mrs Raffray, Headteacher, and Ms Brown, Head of Drama. The Priory Players then entertained us with a programme of poetry, songs and scenes from plays ranging from ‘Annie’ to Shakespeare to Ted Hughes. The theme of the programme was ‘Light’ as this was the theme of the 2015 National Poetry Day.
The Sixth Form had orchestrated the entire evening, taking on the various roles associated with a theatre company – producing, directing, acting, stage managing, marketing, design and, vitally, appointing a treasurer. Among the items performed was award-winning poet Mona Arshi’s poem ‘The Minister of Light’ which was presented by the cast who appeared in the film of the poem. Ms Arshi was in the audience to enjoy our pupils’ interpretation of her poem.
Ms Giedroyc later commented: ‘It’s been an amazing thrill to see the open air stage come to life in the grounds of St Augustine’s Priory. The stage is now ready for Led Zeppelin to come and play an inaugural gig’.
The audience of parents, pupils and staff settled around the stage, enjoying the atmosphere and the evening’s entertainment. Refreshments were supplied by the Sixth Form and delicious meals were cooked on site by The Indians Next Door, http://www.theindiansnextdoor.co.uk/#home
As the light faded through the evening the stage was lit up by lights, making it stand out from the surrounding meadow and bathing the meadow with an ethereal glow. This was such a lovely evening with good company and good entertainment. Thank you to all those who worked so hard to make this such a successful and enjoyable evening; it was a spendiferous way to celebrate a new stage and a new theatre company.
To see the film of ‘The Minister of Light’ please visit the Forward Foundation’s website at http://www.forwardartsfoundation.org/poetry/5775/
or view it on the St Augustine’s Priory website at www.sapriory.com/
