What I Hate about the Shrew

The fifth-year production of What I Hate about the Shrew was a highly entertaining adaptation of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. The co-writers Julie Farrell, Jessica Patterson, Mark Keleghan and Patrick Foster cleverly set the play in present day south Dublin, rather than in 16th Century Padua, which ensured that the audience could more readily relate to the story. And, if anyone still had difficulty keeping up, Kate O’Marcaigh and Will Anglim were always at hand to rap out occasional plot summaries.
As the shrew, Aisling Reina gave a well observed portrayal of Cathy, a young girl who outwardly looks down on the party-going antics of her younger sister, Bianca, played by Julie Farrell. As the girls’ father, Walter, Neil McGinley was suitably severe and yet at the same time managed to add a touch of humour to his role. The understated smooth talking of bad-boy Patrick (Finn Murphy) chipped away at the stony edifice of Cathy’s disdain until she eventually came to see him in a different light. This was due, in no small part, to his emotional rendition of the Andy Williams classic Can’t take my eyes off you.
On the road to the happy ending there were, of course, many twists and turns which all took place under the careful direction of Mr Barry O’Kelly. Backstage, the student producers, Emma Hogg and Lauren McGarry, kept everyone on their toes while on stage the drama was kept moving throughout by the brilliantly expressive and funny Stephen Watts who played Michael. The main characters were ably supported by Cillian McCann as Tom, Dhruv Kapoor as Mario and Rachael Spray as Jacinta as well the rest of the cast who, in addition to their acting roles, were variously involved in singing, dancing (choreographed by Sarah-Jane Bloomer) and occasional fighting! And we can only hope that Eleanor White, Eve Roseingrave and Patrick Foster were not basing their teacher caricatures on anyone that they know!
What we see on stage is the culmination of so much hard work by so many people. A production of this scale and quality cannot take place without the efforts of all those involved in set, costumes, make up and props. During the nightly performances the stage hands ensured very smooth and rapid scene changes, which were accompanied by the elegant musical performances of Sophie Lee, Maeve Sweetnam, Eve Roseingrave, Sean Warren and Conor Broderick. Sound and lighting went without a hitch and the show could not have taken place without the contribution of all those involved with tickets and programmes, sponsorship, front of house and refreshments. The whole show was expertly supervised by the production manager, Ms Milne and on behalf of the fifth-year pupils I would like to thank her and all the staff who helped out in so many different ways. Well done to everyone involved for putting on such an enjoyable show.
T.Gill

Posters!

One of the Transition Year enterprise companies will be selling movie and music posters outside the Reynolds Hall at senior break (11.15) every Thursday, cost €5 each.

Form 1 meetings

Please note that all pupils in Form 1 will be having small group meetings with the Guidance Counsellor, Ms R McDonnell, beginning Wednesday November 25.

Fixtures and training this week

Rugby
1st XV (L) St Andrew's Wed 25 Home 2.30
U 16 (L) Clongowes Wed 25 Away 2.30
JCT A, B Templeogue Wed 25 Home 2.30
U 13 A, B Pres Bray Wed 25 Away 2.30
Girls hockey
Min B, Sen 3 St Columba's Wed 25 Away 2.00
1st Yr B, JunC St Columba's Wed 25 Away 3.00
Jun A (L) St Andrew's Wed 25 Away 2.15
Sen 2 (L) St Andrew's Wed 25 Away 3.15
Matches vs Loreto Foxrock on Sat 28 to be confirmed later
Boys hockey
Senior (L) Kilkenny Wed 25 Home 2.15
Junior (L) St Andrew's Thurs 26 Home 4.45
Results - well done
In girls hockey Senior 4 beat Mt Sackville 4-0 in the league, Senior 1 beat King's Hospital 3-1 in the league, Minor C drew 1-1 vs St Andrew's, 1st Year B won 2-0 vs St Mary's Arklow in the league. In boys hockey the Minors won 3-0 against St Andrew's, the Under 13 won 4-1 vs St Columba's and the Senior won 2-1 vs Wesley.