Article Date: 01 February 2016
Article Date: 01 February 2016
This fast paced family saga explored modern themes of family dysfunction, media intrusion into private events and the influence of religion in society. Both topical and tragic, the action had the audience on the edge of their seats wondering what would happen next.
Star of the show was undoubtedly the multi-talented Luke Cairns who not only wrote and produced the play but also took the lead role of The Father. His portrayal was convincing and thought provoking as we realised with increasing horror and certainty that he was guilty of the most monstrous crime. His motives were not explored but were shown to be linked to pressures to succeed in a high level business career and over reliance on alcohol to get through. The audience alternated between sympathy and contempt for his actions, until the denouement confirmed our worst fears about what had really happened to his young daughter. The mother, played by Scarlett Perrin was a poignant portrayal of misplaced loyalty and encroaching madness and ultimately the taking of her own life. In fact the fallout from the young girl’s disappearance led to the demise of every member of the Phillips family, including the teenage brother played energetically by Frank Judd. This youngster went off the rails under the pressure of his sister’s murder and sunk into depression and drug addiction. Prison beckoned and ultimately suicide became the easiest option-a second young life cut tragically short.
Rather like a Tennessee Williams’ play, depression, murder and suicide were central to the Gothic themes of the play, and the Sixth Form students who worked so hard to bring The Phillips to performance standard should feel rightly proud of the end result. Congratulations to all the cast; Isabel Andrews, Scarlett Perrin, Luke Cairns, Frank Judd, Maisie Simmonds, George Orton (the insidious and corrupting vicar), Sophie Kulik, Laura Humphrey, Jess Eaton-Fearne, Eden Schunmann, Henry Fitch-Bartlett, Katie Molyneaux and Molly Payne (who gave a very convincing cameo performance as the Lawyer). At the end of the performance I was approached by a Mr and Mrs Gilmour who had come to see the play after reading the article on it in the local newspaper and they commented that, “we enjoyed everything about it, and we will come to support the young people again.” So if you are an aspiring writer and performer take note - it can be done.
Luke wrote and produced his play as a Level 3 Extended Project Qualification. He will receive half an A Level and much prized UCAS points for his work. Well done Luke on such a successful artefact project.
Ms Newell, EPQ Co-ordinator
