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Omnibus March 2013

Giggle pandemic halts Twelfth Night rehearsals

Kane Walpole gives us a behind the scenes glimpse of the Twelfth Night rehearsals

Over the past few weeks, the Board Room of Wilson’s School has been struck by a terrible ‘giggle pandemic’ as students find themselves incapable of restraining laughter. The cause is thought to be the upcoming Wilson’s production of Twelfth Night, which will see (amongst other features) cross-dressing, boxing matches, drunkenness and innuendoes.

While this play does come with age warning – beware the occasional innuendo and flirtatious dancing – it’s one that anyone can appreciate. The universal comedy of a drunken noble in Sir Toby Belch (portrayed by Nikhil Vyas) has seen both the cast and the director alike in fits of laughter which have sometimes delayed rehearsals by many minutes, thus proving that this play transcends age. The 80s theme will appeal to those parents with a nostalgia for Diana Ross’ hair (modelled by yours truly) or a secret lust for the younger Boy George (cue Conrad Jefferies in dreadlocks and makeup.) And for those appreciators of Shakespearian wit, the script is crammed full of the richest use of language. For those who love a good spectacle, expect to see yellow stockings, hilarious use of set and the occasional grope and flirtatious glance to boot.

As the performance date draws nearer, the concepts and out-of-the-box ideas of Mr Kavanagh (director of such hits as Titus Andronicus and The Madness of King George) are becoming all the more clear and exciting. The stage, flying in the face of school tradition, will be round-house style. A 360˚ view of the actors is proving a challenge for the staging. Most

of us are wandering out of rehearsals with a script caked in the wise words of the director, whose stage directions are amongst the most complicated seen by modern theatre. The audience – provided we actually remember everything – will be treated to an entirely unique view from wherever they are sitting, catching a subtle variation of emotion or tone. This is definitely a performance for the audience; after all, they are the ones coming to watch us.

Perhaps the biggest challenge of the rehearsals so far (apart from trying to dance in an 80s style) has been working on characters. This play has so many relationships that whole rehearsals were given over to character work. Speaking from a personal point of view, getting used to the idea that I’m now a “buxom wench” with hair that Michael Jackson post an electronic shock would be proud of is one of the biggest challenges. For Peter Chappell, star of the show with his role as Olivia, his first appearance on-stage is likely to be also his most challenging as he takes on an emotionally

OMNIBUS The termly newspaper of Wilson’s School

Omnibus March 2013

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South Korea. Not exactly a normal trip to Kent with the Cadets. It is not uncommon for cadets to make the 20 hour journey to Germany to see British forces in operation, as I did two years ago. Nor is it uncommon for cadets to undertake a gliding scholarship – an introduction to solo flight. Building on these camps, the three exams I have taken in the cadets, a cadre in Kent and (in true Wilson’s fashion) solid public exam grades, a flying scholarship was on the cards for the third time in four years. It was at this point that I thought it was worth applying for the International Air Cadet Exchange. Eager to prove my enthusiasm for the cadets, all the above was mentioned in an application that also encompassed a reference from Maj. Burton and a copy of my personal statement. Impressed by my long list of RAF related activities (along with a lot of luck), the Headquarters for Air Cadets deemed me worthy to represent the RAF cadet organisation in a country nearly six thousand miles away - South Korea. Only 90 cadets each year get to travel to 18 countries across the world, many

camps being in the USA, so I am quite sure I’ll be the only British cadet going to Korea. Looking at the itinerary, the South Koreans seem to have taken this exchange as an opportunity to flaunt their expanding technological and military might. A factory tour of the Korean Aerospace Company, a tour of the Expo Science Park and a visit to the air force academy will show the level of global competition Britain is up against. From the best of South Korea to the most controversial, a tour of the demilitarised zone amongst visiting South Korea’s many military bases, will show why the previous visits are so extraordinary and why their military investment is so high: war with North Korea. Aside from military visits, a lot of culture will be on display: from the National Museum to the world famous temples. Although Wilson’s has not had any cadets involved with the exchange before, the growth of the contingent and ever expanding support from officers fills me with hope for the future of this fanatastic organisation.

complex female character too. But even the drunken characters of Toby Belch (Nikhil Vyas) and Sir Andrew (Harrison Gower) have been forced to do extensive ‘character research’ at local pubs over the half term to get into character. Jack Taperell is facing the challenge of impersonating Margaret Thatcher as Malvolio, and also getting used to the cross-gartered yellow stockings he’ll be forced to don before the entire school. We’re all putting in the effort and slowly falling in love with our characters that all have their individual charm and challenges.

But this play isn’t simply comedy and staging, there are some seriously complicated plot elements. The most complicated feature is the character of Viola (Gabriel Agranoff ’s second female role), who dresses up as a man and as a result confuses both Olivia and the poor Orsino who fall in love with her/him. Later on she is also confused with her twin brother later in the show

resulting in a fight between two characters who have never met. The identity situation is one of the craziest plots Shakespeare has written. Accompany that with the vengeful imprisonment of the hideously-dressed Malvolio and a secret relationship between a house maid and a lord and it’s clear that this play will have a decent , if complicated, plot beneath the shallow humour.

Probably the most successful of Shakespeare’s comedies, this play is one of the most entertaining to rehearse in recent memory. Every scene, every rehearsal, every rendition of a monologue is so crammed with laughter that even those of us who can’t quite follow the script are bound to be rolling on the floor. The diversity and range of both physical and verbal comedy makes this play likely to be Mr Kavanagh’s and the school’s finest dramatic hour.

Craig Threadgold on his air cadet experiences

International air cadet exchange

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Omnibus March 2013

Perfect prefect dinner

Spring is in the air. Have you noticed something’s changed at Wilson’s? I’m not talking about the green shoots or the pre-exam angst. In fact the seamless transition from one prefect team to the next could well have passed you by if it hadn’t been for the prime-time handover assembly. Well what’s changed? I’ll tell you. The unfamiliar faces

at the canteen tills; Mr. Charnock has some new companions at the front door in the mornings; and it won’t be my voice any more in assembly calling out that venerable invitation ‘Will you please stand?’

It has often been noted that the best organisations function without drawing undue attention to themselves. The outgoing prefect team, all 60 of them, have been the silent cogs that have helped keep the well-oiled machine that is Wilson’s functioning over the past year.

In recognition of our hard work a thank-you dinner was very generously hosted by Old Wilsonian and eminent lawyer Mr. John Nicholson, the Vice Chair of Governors. Donning brand new dinner jackets and relishing the chance to experience the high life, all 60 prefects made their way on a snowy February evening to the exclusive Travellers Club in Pall Mall. On arrival we were greeted by our host and the Senior Leadership Team. We conversed over champagne and then proceeded to the main library to dine. A Greek frieze

encircling the room, Corinthian columns, thousands of leather-bound books – it was certainly some place to have a three-course dinner.

At the head table was our host Mr. Nicholson, the Head, his Senior Leadership Team and the School Captain – me on best behaviour. Spread out around five other circular tables were the remaining prefects, all anticipating a wonderful meal. Following the starter, the waiters swiftly delivered the main course of roast chicken with all the trimmings. Our stomachs fully satisfied, it was time (as is custom) for the speeches.

Mr. Cole, deputy head, took to the floor, and in a wide-ranging speech reminisced about his days as Head Boy of his Yorkshire comprehensive. To our amusement he acknowledged his behaviour at times would not have been up to the standards expected of a Wilsonian – I’m sure he was exaggerating. His main message, however, was to express the school’s gratitude for our efforts as prefects.

Mr. Cole was a hard act to follow, but my remarks to my classmates followed a similar path – one of thanks and appreciation to the prefects and to our host for the unforgettable evening.

Concluding the dinner was Mr. Nicholson’s inspiring speech. He impressed upon us the need to seize the moment. Since life, as we would soon discover, goes all too quickly. His words will certainly have a lasting impact.

For the prefects, the dinner will certainly be one of the most enduring memories of our time at Wilson’s. And I’m sure the new generation of prefects will find, as we have, that serving the school and helping it to run smoothly, is a real privilege.

William Ries, school captain emeritus, reports on last term’s prefect dinner.

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Superb strings stun Sutton

There was great drama this January as the Wilson’s Elite reclaimed the Sutton Music Festival Junior String quartet award, withstanding fierce competition from the Nonsuch girls. Eminent adjudicator Viviane Ronchetti (director of the National Youth Strings Academy) described the performance as having a “nice sound overall”. Despite the lightweight praise, she deemed the performance worthy of a trophy. Talented cellist Sam Gates described the festival as a “turning point for the string quartet” and “one of the tensest moments of his life”. This result means that the quartet has made history by becoming the first string ensemble to be crowned consecutive champions of the competition.

However, it is not just musical competitions that the Wilson’s School Elite String Quartet has thrived in. Their most recent success was at the PFA Burns Night where they showed their versatility by playing

Harry Perkin on Wilson’s String Quartet

a collection of Scottish folk pieces. Indeed, such was the calibre of the performance that they received a standing ovation. Linden Hogarth described the event as “his highlight of the year” and Robert Cochrane said that

it was “a nice change from the standard quartet repertoire”. But do not be fooled into thinking that the quartet only plays at school events - if you want professional music at an amateur price, please

contact the author to discuss terms!

The quartet is reaching new heights this term with a scheduled performance of Mozart’s famous Quartet in D minor (KV 241), and the legendary first movement of Borodin’s String Quartet Number 2 at the School Easter concert, which promises to be a night to remember.

West-end Wilson’s

Have you heard of musical theatre club? Its run by Jack Robertson, who devotes every Monday after school to sing, dance and act with anyone who wishes to join from years7-6th form from Wilson’s and Wallington girls. Every afternoon we gather together and sing, previous songs we’ve sang are The Ballad of Sweeny Todd, Jack and Jill from Matilda and are now singing The Circle of Life from The Lion King and When I Grow Up again from Matilda. Every week we always have fun and nothing else, but now as the club

James Carpenter on Musical Theatre Club at Wilson’s

is ever expanding the performances are getting ever bigger and if your familiar with the musical Matilda then to hear that we’re going to use swings just like the original version then this is sweet music to your ears which will also being coinciding with the swings. Musical Theatre club is an amazing thing to be a part of and I would like to thank Mr. Rogers for letting it happen and a special thanks to Jack for giving up his time and for being an inspiring person to work with.

“..highlight of the year” Linden Hogarth

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Omnibus March 2013

Les Mis film vs theatre

‘Look down, look down. Don’t look them in the eye.’ This is what the prisoners at the beginning of the film Les Misérables ask each other to do, but if you do the same, you will miss watching what has to be one of the most anticipated films of last year. With an all-star cast including Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe and Anne Hathaway, this film definitely lived up to its expectations. But is it as good as the West End musical, now into its twenty-eighth year?

At the end of the day, it’s a film against a stage show and each has their advantages and - yes they do - their disadvantages. The last we saw of Tom Hooper was The King’s Speech, a financial and critical success, winning four Oscars and seven BAFTAs along the way, so the film was always going to be a directorial feast. However, the framing of the characters when they were singing their main songs and the closeness of the cameras to their faces was too much. I was concentrating more on Eddie Redmayne’s freckles then I was on his powerful and emotional rendition of ‘Empty Chairs at Empty Tables’.

The one song this definitely did work for is Anne Hathaway’s ‘I Dreamed a Dream’. I challenge you not to cry while watching. The close camera angles along with Hathaway’s perfect acting (crying and singing at the same time must be pretty hard to do!) makes this by far the most memorable scene in the film. On stage, this has to be done differently. You wouldn’t be able to hear the actress at the back of the theatre if she was mumbling her words. Whether this song works for you depends on whether you like the loud ballads or quiet, sad musings.

Anne and Eddie may have sung their main songs to the tears of many thousands of fans, but one song that let it all down was the main character’s big song ‘Bring Him Home’. Jackman does not do this song justice in any way. He sings well throughout the rest of the film with sparks of brilliance such as ‘Valjean’s Soliloquy’. But in ‘Bring Him Home’ he screeches the entire thing. He simply cannot hit the high notes. He did say in an interview that he found it very difficult to sing to the high standard set by Colm Wilkinson (the original Valjean in the 1985 West End production) but he should have made it his own.

One major change to the musical is the addition of the new song ‘Suddenly’. Jackman’s character, Jean Valjean, after collecting ‘Courgette’ or Cosette from the comic innkeepers (delightfully played by Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter who have a natural chemistry together) fills the blanks by singing this song. It supposedly shows how much he has changed from the prisoner he used to be. Yes, it might fill the blanks that the musical leaves out, and yes, it might be more faithful to the novel the film is adapted from (as it explores the impact Cosette has upon Valjean, something the musical does not do), but that does not detract from the fact that in my opinion, it is a bad song. Now I love Schonberg’s music in the musical, but in a way, this ruins the film for the diehard fans of the stage show. If you haven’t seen the stage show then this song may be for you.

A controversial debate about the film is the one about Russell Crowe. Many fans of the film are saying that he ruins it with his unimaginative, boring and monotonous singing. People say that ‘Stars’, his main song could have been sung with more emotion as it is supposed to be, and as it is done in the musical. However, Crowe plays the part of Inspector Javert, a police officer who is basically a legalist, a person who over-emphasises the need for discipline and good conduct. Therefore, for me, a more boring voice contrasts with that of the rest of the cast whose singing is undoubtedly emotionally charged. I might be on my own with this one.

The negative aspects of the film I have described are heavily overshadowed by the greatness of the extraordinary, grand-scale production that it is. The singers sung live on set during filming and this, in addition to the close cameras, gives it a more raw effect which you just don’t get on the stage. But take nothing away from the stage musical. It has lasted twenty-five years for a reason, and I’m sure it will last for twenty-five more. The spectacle of it just cannot be portrayed on film. I believe that both are fantastic adaptations of Victor Hugo’s novel; they both tell the same story and use the same music, but both do it in different ways.

Nathan Lobo reviews the film ‘Les Miserables’

Omnibus March 2013

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Fabulae omnibus (fables for all)

Futsal for all at Wilson’s

In recent years, Wilson’s has begun to branch out further into the world of sports. Our repertoire of played sports has been growing and growing, and the year of 2012-13 is no exception. Enter Futsal, the exhilarating, entertaining and challenging most recent addition to the long lists of sports in which we field teams.

Futsal, at its most basic, is a kind of five-a-side indoor football; made of two twenty-minute halves. Because of the reduced field space, less time and fewer players, the game can get quite intense. The ball has a 30% bounce reduction from the normal football sphere, and a kick-in – the Futsal equivalent of a throw-in – must be taken within four seconds of taking possession of the ball. All of the reductions having the effect of condensing the game, making Futsal a much more concentrated and rapid sport than football.

Indeed, Mr Simmons, the teacher spearheading the Futsal endeavour, hopes that by encouraging the school’s football players to partake in Futsal, there will be positive changes to how the school’s teams perform on the football pitch.

Archie MacGillivray discovers the benefits of Futsal

Already this term, the Year 8 Futsal team soundly thrashed St Joseph’s College with an 11-7 victory. And when questioned, they heartily agreed that “If you’re good at Futsal, then you’ll be great at football, because you have so much more time in football to make decisions and receive passes and take shots.” They are the first ever Year 8 Wilson’s team to be entered in the Surrey Futsal League, and are confident that they will prove themselves adept.

But Mr Simmons doesn’t want to stop there. “I fully encourage anyone with an interest in Futsal, or even those who just want to get better at football to come and see me. I think that if we can get a few teams playing regularly, then not only can we get better as a school at football and rise in the league tables, we can also say ‘we at Wilson’s do Futsal. And we do it better than you’.” That seems fair, as we can already say that about every other sport we’ve taken on in our time.

All told, the introduction of Futsal to Wilson’s School seems to be a win-win situation, from whichever angle you view it. And let’s be honest: if you’re looking for a school that knows all about winning, it’s got to be Wilson’s!

A modernised fable by Kevin Gu and Parth Gundi

One day, a boy’s father made him a tree-house. The dad was in a hurry, so he rushed it without care. The tree-house looked brilliant- the wood was a beautiful red, and looked very comfortable. But the tree-house was actually very dangerous- it was rushed and very unsteady.

The very next day, the boy was extremely excited, but little did he know of the dangers. He climbed up with great expectations. Unfortunately, when he reached the top and sat down in the tree-house, there was a slight shudder. The whole tree-house came down! The little boy was seriously injured, and was rushed to hospital. He had to stay in a wheel-chair for the rest of his life…

His dad was overcome with sorrow, and fixed the whole tree-house. In the end, it was as sturdy as a monument. Despite all of his father’s hard work, the boy was unable to use this wonderful tree-house as he was in a wheelchair.

Precautions are useless after the event.

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Omnibus March 2013

This year, the English department has run sessions for two national writing competitions: the T S Eliot Prize Shadowing Scheme and the Christopher Tower Poetry Competition.

The T S Eliot Prize is the most prestigious annual poetry competition, in which 10 of the best poets in the world are shortlisted for a £15,000 prize, the winner of which is chosen by a panel comprising some of the most respected names in poetry, including Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. The Shadowing Scheme allowed students to choose one of the candidates who had been nominated and write a 500 word rationale for their poetry, suggesting why it should win the overall prize. Mr Mulcahy ran two lunchtime sessions, where the poems were discussed before each entrant wrote their piece. The scheme proved very successful for the

school, with Kane Walpole U6 highly commended, and George Ashcroft U6 and Tim Sharpe L6 praised for their efforts. The ongoing Christopher Tower Poetry Competition for 16-18 year-olds has engaged a number of Lower Sixth students in a range of literary techniques and works. From Ted Hughes and Silvia Plath to Wilfred Owen, from villanelles to colour themes, the students have learned a number of skills which they have been using to influence their writing on the ironically vague theme ‘The Details’. The submission deadline is fast approaching and some excellent pieces are developing in the hope of winning the grand prize, and the £3000 that comes with it. Good luck to all who enter and a massive thank you to Mr Hudson and Miss Lambert for their weekly commitment!

My Sister Blooms by Peter Chappell

Black Figures, Dripped on a Victorian winter wash,Bleed on the slush horizonWhere I lie.

Placed on this empty expanse,I smugly endure.But she is cement,Near set,In my damaged grey mould.

But not yet.

A blank pure puddleTo stamp in and to leave,Suspended, My dirt to fester.

Black jelly fish in your mind’sWhite sea,Her decayed agedbloom permanently.

Now This moment’s crystallised joy,Will it be forgottenLike her other Christmas toys?

And what of the fine points of our hearts, the specifics, the particulars and technicalities? Will she forget them,Like our dream,To brood on her nightmare?

Or maybe I’ll just be a whisper Or an oil slick In her mind On her sea.Or maybe confined In a fake eulogy.

Bloom (verb)- Produce flowers; be in flower: “a rose tree bloomed on a ruined wall”.- A large group of jelly fish

Poetry competitions

Here is the winning poem from the Christopher Tower competition...

Tim Sharpe tells us about two recent poetry competitions

Omnibus March 2013

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Eden Hazard

I wonder if the referee was right,To send off Hazard for kicking the boy,And did the camera really see the fight?Who cares? He’s off and much to Swansea’s joy.

Shall I compare thee twerick Cantona?The boy is not a fan, but he is close.There has been no appeal from him so farThe kick did not make the boy comatose.

Time wasting was his art and yet his boastDecisions have to be made fast to flowHis actions have made Chelsea become toastMaybe Hazard should not be made to go.

It was premeditated by the kidIt was his job to make the ball be hid.

Daniel Clarke

Creative corner

Nature

The sun was a hard, electric yellow,As yellow as the stars that loiter around it,Loitering like gangsters wasting their lives,Their lives – as worthless as the bodies of their demise.

The sky was a hard, electric blue,As blue as the ocean that peacefully mirrors it,As peaceful as the moon that shines so bright,As shines, like silver when assembling with light.

The grass was a hard, electric green,As green as the tree leaves that fall in autumn,Tumbling like rocks that break from their loved ones,Tumbling and tumbling until they move from their lives.

So nature’s a complex and beautiful thing,Don’t underestimate the links it can bring.

Nader Tak

My old best friend

My old best friend - he used to be a bird,It was a pet budgie, yellow and blue.He used to fly and chirp; he was louder than a zoo,From my own room, he could be heard.Everyone liked him - even the nerds.He was fun to them, me, and it could have been you.One time we tried to make him talk, French too!And eventually he could say a few words,But all good things come to an end.The day he was in our house no more,His injury was not able to mend,He only lived to the age of four.So to my deceased pet, here I sendA message saying: “Your life, we still mourn.”

Kofi Oppong-Anin

War is a Beautiful thing

War is a Beautiful thingIt rises from the ashes of peaceNot restrained by any mortal leashIt spreads its fiery wingWar is a beautiful thingTerrifying, ferocious, a wild beastMighty are those that unleashThis abomination of Ice fire, blazing

But am I intoxicated?My judgement clouded?Is war truly a thing to be hated?Is war accursed and peace blessed?I see now my grave mistake- but it was fated.I thought I was illuminated but I was in fact excommunicated.

Osaid Adil

A selection of Year 9 poetry