The Spaceman: a coming of age performance

On Wednesday and Thursday this week our talented students performed the Upper School production of Rob John’s play: The Spaceman. The 'coming of age' play asks questions about social engineering, loyalty, ambition and the importance of having a dream. All who auditioned had a part to play and the cast and crew included nine of our Drama scholars.  We were pleased to welcome an audience of over 100 on the final night.

Our Head of Drama and the Director of the play, Ms Esther Roberts, said: “I was lucky enough to have been taught and directed by Rob John when I studied A Level Drama and Theatre Studies at Paston College. I’ve always loved this play and remember seeing it on tour in 1998. I have been waiting for an opportunity to direct this play with the right cast and now, in my fourth year at St Mary’s School, Cambridge, I’ve found that cast and the right moment."

Mr Tim Clarke, Head of Drama at St John's College School, was in the audience last night and summed up the performance perfectly:

"This was ensemble theatre at its best – everyone was so focused and in role on stage and they drew the audience into this gentle but tragic kitchen sink drama with real skill. I LOVED the naturalistic and UNDERSTATED performances, blended with modern theatre techniques; some poignant freeze frames, slow motion sequences and stylised action. The overall effect was a theatrical realism which worked so well with this piece of writing. The biggest compliment I can give all of the talented cast is that I genuinely cared and wanted to know what happened to their characters in the future. It was a poised, heartfelt and polished piece of theatre that seemed effortless – it had a simple directorial line which was all it needed to capture the travesty of the 11 plus."

These performances would not be the stellar events that they are without contributions from a number of our departments and helpful individuals – our thanks go to all of them for their continued support and help.