A Grand Finale at Stow Primary

Tonight's performance of Burke and Hare at Stow Primary was the last of the term and what a show to end the run.

The original performance date for Stow was Thursday the 5th of December however sadly the show had to be postponed due to severe weather. Not to worry though, the cast made excellent use of their extra two weeks by rehearsing even more and creating a stunning mural and array of gravestones to decorate the hall. 

 

The day at Stow started on a high with an easy set up for Charades, it was almost as though we had done it all before…then cast arrived and performed and incredibly tight first run through with singing even more polished and melodious than it had been a few weeks ago. Notes were given on merits and possible improvements before lunch then it was into costume for the afternoon dress rehearsal. 

As the day progressed the quality of performance delivered by this talented young cast just got higher and higher, climaxing with a vibrant evening performance to a full house.

Well done Stow Primary School and have a lovely festive holiday, you deserve it. 

A High Energy Show at Hayshead

The final show of this term's Angus tour was an energetic production of Treasure Island at Hayshead Primary School in Arbroath. Hayshead was one of the last schools to get started on a project this term but from our first rehearsal with the P5s and P7s taking part we knew it was going to be a good one.

So what is it that makes a good Charades Theatre show? Firstly everyone needs to learn all of their songs and actions, next it is about making the performance believable and drawing the audience into the story; the whole cast must create and sustain convincing characters throughout the show. The last but most important factor is the energy and the children at Hayshead had plenty of it!

Today's performance was one of the most animated of the term and the audiences were enthralled throughout, both in the morning run through for the school and the afternoon performance for parents and the community. The atmosphere was electric and the audience's rapturous response was well deserved and testament to the hard work and success of everyone involved, pupils and teachers alike.

A huge thank you and well done to all at Hayshead Primary School, your children have done you proud and we hope to see you again in the future.

Double Success for Maisondieu and Edzell Primary Schools

Today Charades team; James, Rob and Moira, were thrilled to peform in yet another incredible performance of Burke and Hare up here in Angus.  The children of Maisondieu and Edzell Primary Schools joined forces to put on our only partnered performance this term. 

The classes from the host school, Maisondieu, played the parts of the Cadavers, the Townsfolk and the Navvies; the visiting performers, from Edzell Primary School, played the parts of the Guards and Dr Knox's Students. 

It was an exciting day for all involved and heart warming to see the visiting children so kindly welcomed and new friendships being made between children of the neighbouring schools. The children had only worked together for one day prior to the performance and their team work was commendable.  

The most noteworthy aspect of today's performance however was the sound. The combined forces of the two schools made for a big cast and some powerful yet moving renditions of the songs. The telling of the tale of Burke and Hare in Brechin was spine tingling in more ways than one and we hope the experience was as memorable for the performers as it was for us. Many thanks to all of the teachers for their hard work too.  

Treasure at Tweedbank

Well done to all of the P4-7 pupils at Tweedbank Primary School who took to the stage for todays performance of Treasure Island. Having already worked with the school previously, on a production of Burke and Hare, the Charades team were anticipating a great finale to this jam packed week of touring - we were definitely not disappointed!

On arriving at Tweedbank at first light, there was evidence of pirate activity in every corner of the school; an array of art work decorated the corridors and the hall was decked out with palm trees, jolly roger flags and more art work and original poster designs. 

The art work and scenery framed the show beautifully which was of course a swashbuckling success all round. Everyone in the cast really rose to the occasion and the energy of the performance was fantastic. In particular the P7 pirates excelled; not only did they master the difficult and very fast verses of 'Cold Blooded Mutiny' but they also really embraced the menacing pirate character. The combination of achievements resulted in a truly captivating performance. 

Here is one of our favourite Treasure Island posters from the hall - can anyone name the artist? 

We also found this impressive collage of photos and audience reviews from Tweedbank's previous performance of Burke and Hare:

No Cheese at Clovenfords...

Unfortunately for the Castaways there was no cheese in the Clovenfords performance of Treasure Island last night but not to worry, there were plenty of other enticing treats to tantalise the taste buds.
On arrival the audience were served a glass of mulled cider (non alcoholic of course) and provided with a treasure map programme to help them find their seats.
After a quick rubber chicken with the audience and a beautiful  introduction by Hannah the show started and we were transported back in time to the Admiral Benbow Inn with Zara opening the scene on accordion.
Next up was the Quayside where many a hopeful sailor was welcomed to the harbour with a special hornpipe dance. The good ship the Hispaniola was manned and made ready for the voyage to Treasure Island.
From start to finish the Clovenfords cast approached their performance with professionalism and gusto and the thunderous applause from the audience on the final bows was thoroughly deserved.
Charades would like to thank all of the staff and pupils at Clovenfords Primary School for their efforts and enthusiasm - all of the little extra touches helped make the night the special event that it was. A performance to remember and a performance to be very proud of. Well done.

St Margarets RC steal the show...

Hats off to the talented pupils of St Margarets RC primary school who gave a spine tingling performance of Burke and Hare last night.
From load in to load out, our day at St Margarets got better and better. The morning run through was good, the afternoon dress rehearsal was great but the evening show was awe inspiring.
Everyone in the cast sang their hearts out and really embraced their different characters. However, an extra congratulations must go to the guards - definitely one of the best drilled regiments in the Borders. Well done.

Gruesome glory at Seaview

Well... I'm in the van on the way home from this evening's performance of Burke & Hare at Seaview Primary School and I'm going to struggle to find the words to sum up and do justice to this particular performance. For starters, the audience was a superb one; there was not one empty seat in the hall, and a good number of dedicated friends and family resorted to standing at the back for the duration.

By the time the show started, the anticipation was almost at boiling point and, boy, did the show live up to expectations. The Cadavers started off with a bang, rising from the grave and singing their spine chilling warning about Auld Reekie's infamous bodysnatching duo. In the next scene, a contrast to the murky graveyard opener, the hustle and bustle of Auld Reekie introduced the Irish immigrant workers - the 'Navvies' - and the 'Townsfolk' of Edinburgh. Seaview's acting prowess portrayed the tension between to the two character groups with great skill and effect, and by the time the town Guards marched in to break up the market-square brawl, the audience had been truly transported to the dirty Victorian streets.

The high standards of singing and acting from each of the groups continued on throughout the gruesome tale; from the questionable law enforcement of the pious Guards, to the excited and studious students, to the passionate and pompous Townspeople.

By the time Burke and Hare finally met their maker, the cast brought the house down with one final warning. As soon as the lights cut at the end of the Epilogue, a mountainous cheer and rapturous applause erupted from the belly of the audience, followed by many a curtain call for every member of the cast.

Many many congratulations to all involved and thanks so much for making it such a great occasion. In short, missing the show would have been a hangable offence!

Long John Silver condemned to rot by Ladyloan Primary School

Many congratulations are in order for everyone involved in the Ladyloan Primary production of Treasure Island today. Nerves were running high for some but everyone worked together to overcome the butterflies. 

Every member of the cast should be very proud of their performance but a special mention must go to the Pirates who were definitely some of the most vicious in Angus! Well done. 

Strathmore make Forfar proud.

Strathmore primary gave a wonderful, rip-roaring redition of Charades' musical version of Treasure Island this afternoon. All the cast members truly embraced their characters; the pirates had menace and cunning, the Castaways had charisma and wit, and the loyalists were zealous and lionine. Every second of every scene kept the audience spellbound, each character group working with one another to seamlessly take the audience on the gripping tale of mutiny and buried treasure. As soon as the curtain fell for the last time, the audience exploded into rapturous applause and gave the talented cast three very hearty and appreciative cheers. A huge well done from us, and thank you so much for all the hard work and your kind hospitality each time we visited. See you next year... ;-)

Burke and Hare blown away...

Unfortunately todays Burke and Hare performance with Stow Primary School has had to be postponed due to severe weather conditions and a power cut in the school.
The show will now take place on Thursday the 19th of December which means you have two more weeks to rehearse and make your performance even better than it would have been today!

Some great singing at Seaview

Charades had a billiant time working with Seaview primary school up in Angus today.  We were very impressed with the singing from all three character groups and the harmonies in the Murder scene and Order in the Court were beautiful. Well done to all involved.

Against all the odds Maisondieu and Edzell Primary Schools join forces to evict Burke and Hare from the streets of Brechin

A big congratulations to todays Burke and Hare cast made up of pupils from both Maisondieu and Edzell Primary Schools.
Today was the first time the full cast has rehearsed all together and despite being a little short on time everyone worked very hard to get through the final run through with great results. We can't wait to come back on the 16th for your performance. Well done!