Christmas comes but once a year, though here on the hill things have been stirring for somewhat longer, preparing a ground-breaking treat for us all. Never knowingly one to balk at challenging the status quo, nor shy of mixing great entertainment with a little dash of controversy, Hurtwood invites you to take another look at what it is women might really have to offer. In a world replete with tough news, where the tinsel, trees and fairy lights are more necessary than ever, magic is stirring. Did someone say Musical? Did someone say ‘witches’ and ‘glitter’ in the same sentence? Stand by for what promises to be explosive stuff – of voices raised, beautifully and harmoniously; of expectations and cliches, embedded and societal, joyfully exploded; and of infectious youthful energy, as ever, filling the stage and recharging the soul.
The halls and hills have been echoing for weeks now, led by the genius of Nick, Doug and Andy, along with their extraordinary teams. Lottie's obviously been putting students through their paces, getting them to cover an extraordinary amount of ground. Elizabeth’s thumbs must be pricked and pricking with the stitching of a new array of flowery cottons, net petticoats and high-school finery, as well as, one assumes, some more outrageous stuff. And Al… well the sets just get more slick and entertaining – Guy’s lights and sound, more sophisticated. Could they have sold their souls to the devil? All will be revealed!
One week to go, a week of demanding tech-ing, and a quick peak in the theatre reveals an intriguing set: clapperboard and white picket fences, freely festooned with roses, the prominent town church, jolly little girls and a bunch of super-self-satisfied townsfolk. But, hold on… Is that a twitch of net curtains we see? And could it be that not everyone is quite so happy or smugly occupying the moral high ground? Could there be (whisper it) some boredom in the ranks? Adapted from John Updike’s 1984 satirical novel, by way of the 1987 film version (featuring Jack Nicholson and Cher, amongst others) this joyfully blasphemous musical version presents the highs and lows of a metaphorical dance with the devil, in the shape of Daryl Van Horn. Drawn into life by the frustrated boredom of three ‘misfit’ women, self-appointed outsiders who dare to question the narrow constraints of Eastwick life under the control of one Felicia Gabriel (it’s clearly worth taking a look at the playful mockery of stereotypes in this satire) the play promises some cheeky surprises, lots of unapologetic ambiguity, and unabashed good fun.
‘Why this play?’, I ask directors Doug and Andy. ‘Lots of challenging female characters!’, is the instant answer, and plenty of questioning of the way the world responds to specifically female (super) powers, particularly when they push against societal presumptions. After weeks of incredible hard work, alongside, as ever, a full-on term of A level work, all this amazing effort will no doubt go off in spectacular style.
During tech rehearsals, the ‘stop/start again’ experience is handled with quiet, reliable focus by cast, crew and technicians alike. Messages fly: through headsets and barely raised voices, front and back stage, and all around the theatre; notes are added or amended, costumes tweaked, and props find their optimum placing. With a cast of 76 and student crew of 10 all in the mix at various points, the focused professionalism of everyone in this fine-tuning is quite simply awe inspiring. Bravo!
Time to get back to the school day and leave the professionals to polish the final product. This brief glimpse of the opening has given some clues to the plot: freedom here is an illusion. ‘Eastwick KNOWS’ we are told, and with Felicia Gabriel in charge of the town it seems that Big Sister is indeed watching. Collusion and conformity are the name of the game, but storm clouds are (literally) gathering and the sunlit uplands may have had their day. Our three (anti?) heroines are clearly waiting for the music to begin, for ‘something to happen’. Well count me in! When even a dry martini fails to cheer, it’s time to unleash the inner devils. Move over Eastwick; shape up Hurtwood. Take a break Santa and let Satan – and satire – have some of the fun. Let the games begin!
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