In the penultimate week of term, while many others might be considering winding down for summer, our Lower Sixth Form academic drama students treated audiences to two performances of Nelly E Cuellar-Garcuia’s Desdemona in the Afterlife. Entirely student led with rehearsals taking place in the summer term, the narrative of this production placed us in the realm of purgatory where some of Shakespeare’s most famous women find themselves trapped between their pursuit of love and self-identity. Taking its inspiration from Dante’s Inferno, this visceral play allows powerful actors to reach heightened levels of awareness as they grapple with the ideas of an individual’s purpose in their mortal life and the ramifications it carries over into the immortal world.
Desdemona, played expertly by Sophia F., provided the necessary nuances to flit between strength and vulnerability as she questioned her own purpose and love for Othello. She was joined by the not so meek Juliet, played by Alice E., the friend that betrayed her, Emilia, played by Lola N-P. and Ophelia, the hard done by love interest of Hamlet, played by Scarlett D. Overseeing purgatory with the task of ensuring virtuous souls move on was Scarlett W.’s Lady Macbeth who was suitably crazed and dominant in her portrayal of the ambitious Queen of Scotland. Lucy S. provided the somewhat conflicting image of an angel, both gracious and terrifying as she ultimately punished Lady Macbeth by turning her into a petrified tree for disobeying the will of God. Also in the mix, Sasha D. and Maisy B. performed as fellow women, their murder inflicted on them by the lovers they left behind. Maisy B. also created the sound design and sung a beautiful rendition of The Willow Song while Sasha was responsible for the costume design as part of her EPQ project. I think many would agree the costume, hair and makeup really helped elevate the production with the gruesome ways the women died made evident on their garments and bodies. Special thanks must also be paid to Archie L who stepped in later in the process as the lighting designer and did an amazing job in programming and operating the lights.
A great new addition to the dramatic offering that we hope will remain a staple feature for the Summer terms to come.
Mrs Emily McGhee, Teacher of Drama
