With less than five weeks to go until opening night for this year’s Lower School production, the rehearsals, costumes and set design are ramping up.
Miss Steele, our Drama Department Volunteer, grabbed an interview with Miss Deas, Teacher of Drama, as she reflects on her first time directing a Trinity Drama production, having joined the school in September.
What made you choose James and the Giant Peach for the Lower School production?
Coming into Trinity I knew that last year’s Lower School production was Lord of the Flies and I wanted something contrasting and a little bit lighter! I also wanted a production that would allow for quite a large cast of principles, with a range of different personalities, and James and the Giant Peach seemed to fit the bill. It’s fun, it’s exciting, it’s ludicrous in all the ways that Roald Dahl always is, but the characters (despite a lot of them not being human) have aspects of humanity that are fun and rewarding to draw out.
What was the casting process like?
Tough! We had so many stunning auditions. The level of talent was unbelievable, I was so impressed by everybody who came out and auditioned. It was fun to put all the students in situations that would help us draw out the characters of the insects. Even though we had to disappoint some, it was rewarding to see how many students were keen to get involved with a Drama production.
What do you most enjoy about directing?
Being surprised! I have found that, especially with this cast, I am surprised in every single rehearsal. Someone will do something that makes me laugh, often it is Noah with his ad-libs as the Centipede (most of which have made it into the final production because he’s so funny). I find it doesn’t matter what ideas I come into the rehearsal with, there will always be something that changes in the process because of the individual ideas that our cast bring into the room.
Are there any challenges that come with directing? How do you overcome them?
Our cast are so excited and enthusiastic that sometimes they come into the rehearsal with so much energy, that channelling it into a productive environment can be challenging. However, this is just as easily overcome by reminding them why we are all in the same room and why we’re doing what we’re doing. Overall, they’ve been amazing, and I was just saying to them this week how impressed I am with the level of focus and respect they brought into the room.
What are you most looking forward to about the show?
Opening night! It’s the moment when all the hard work, hours of rehearsals, all the help of the creative team combined with the excitement, the pressure, the nerves, everything comes together into a cacophony of joy. That’s what this story is, it’s joyful. I think that will be the moment where the cast, as well as myself, can breathe out and say ‘oh my goodness we did it!’
Can you give us any clues as to what the set will look like?
Colourful, vivid and a real wormhole between worlds – that’s all I’ll say for now!
[We are delighted that the set is being designed by professional set designer Amy Rose Mitchell, who also designed our incredible Shakespeare in Love set in 2022.]
Do you think this show will be enjoyable for all ages?
Oh yes, of course. There is joy and there is excitement and adventure for absolutely everyone.
And finally, what would you like the audience to leave the show feeling?
Not to keep coming back to this word, but joyful. I want everyone to feel like they’ve gone on a big adventure that has readied them for summer.
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James and the Giant Peach will run from Thursday 27 – Friday 28 June at 7.00pm in the Mitre Theatre, Trinity School, Croydon. Book your tickets here: TryBooking
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