Canterbury ki te Raki Festival 9 April

On Saturday 9 April, The Grange Theatre at Middleton Grange School hosted the Canterbury ki te Raki UOSW Shakespeare Festival. Although the number of school’s submitting entries to the festival was slightly lower than in previous years, the standard of performance and level of enthusiasm was just as high. Under the leadership and watchful eye of Joel McKinnon, The Grange Theatre’s new Technical Manager, a team of students took up the challenge of managing the event, providing technical support in sound, lighting, stage technologies and backstage organisation. It was a long day for the crew, but everything went off without a hitch and the Festival Organisers were very complimentary of both the facilities and the commitment and expertise of the Tech Team.

Due to the disruption caused by Covid MGS was unable to prepare a longer piece for the local UOSWSF. However, Charlotte Henderson, a Year 13 Drama student, was determined to perform at the festival and while working from home, found an appropriate scene from “Hamlet” (Act 3 Scene 4), recruited Josh Bedggood to join her in the performance of the scene, learned the lines, planned the blocking and brought the scene to festival standard.

On the day, their delivery of the scene was outstanding and although the piece was not selected to represent Christchurch at the National Festival, Charlotte won the award for Best Performer of the Festival which includes automatic entry into the National Shakespeare School Performance Company and the opportunity to be selected to be one of 24 chosen to travel to London to perform at the Globe Theatre.

Well done, Josh and Charlotte and special congratulations to Charlotte for her vision, determination and recognition.