THE BROOKSBANK ARTHAUS MAGAZINE | ISSUE FIVE 2015

The Review

Road by Jim Cartwright

Set in a run-down, northern town in Thatchers Britain, we met Scullery, knocking back the rum and chatting up the girls. Road, Jim Cartwrights first play, opened at the Royal Court Theatre in 1986 to huge acclaim and subsequently won the Samuel Beckett Award for Best New Play.

With no more than a battered couch, placed centre stage and a pile of dilapidated scaffolding, it was time for Drama students at Brooksbank to take the audience on a road trip into this hard-bitten world, peppered with some hilarious dialogue. Adam Crowther, as Brian; Jess White-Travis, as Marion; Ruby Carter, as Valerie; Phoebe McMahon, as Molly and, best of all, Conor Joy, as Scullery, all produced premium performances. The journey was a depressing tale of broken dreams, and a burning desire to escape. Yet, Conor and the cast of the characters, made for compulsive viewing. The whole cast rose to the challenge of producing some very strong characters. We didnt feel uplifted but we did feel extremely grateful for all that we have and all the luxuries we take for granted. Riveting viewing everyone!

THE BROOKSBANK ARTHAUS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 5 | 2015

One Flew Over The Cuckoos Nest by Ken Kesey

On the same bill, but by complete contrast, was One Flew over the Cuckoos Nest. The play features the lives of inmates and staff in a mental asylum. The strict, often brutal regime, is shattered by hell-raising Mac, and a destructive power struggle develops as he goes head-to-head with the intimidating dominatrix, Nurse Ratched. Known as Cuckoo throughout rehearsals, Chris Rhodes recreated the role of Randle McMurphy, famously played by Jack Nicholson in the 1975 film version of the novel.

Chriss powerful portrayal of Mac lit up the stage from the moment he walked on, and the sparks flew between himself and Big Nurse, archly played by Maria Gomez. Perfect foils completed the line up as Jack Hill played the mostly silent Chief except for those moving monologues and Nurse Flynn, played by Phoebe Baker, who displayed amazing characterisation and kept her accent rock solid until the bitter end. A highly charged final scene left many of the audience in tears, commented fellow actor, Sam Wharvell.

THE BROOKSBANK ARTHAUS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 5 | 2015

Year 10 have discovered their metal-head thanks to Frank Darnley and his sculpture techniques in shiny, sheet metal. Many readers will be familiar with the two huge metal sculptures, Phoenix and Ram, which feature prominently at Dean Clough.

An eager class of wannabe sculptors have, very quickly, got to grips with Franks teachings and techniques. Getting to grips with specialist equipment and sculpting sheet metal have been part of this exciting experience, and a live demo of the awesome riveting machine packed a punch!

Geared up students quickly got down to planning and designing their own show piece with cars, lorries and an aeroplane being just a few of the ambitious ideas produced for development.

With projects chosen, students began the critical design process on large-format paper; this would become the blue-print for their piece. Following that, designs on paper were quickly transferred to expansive sheets of gleaming, silver metal. Cutting, riveting and constructing followed and some really impressive 3D models took shape. The results were stunning and everyone enjoyed this extraordinary opportunity sculpt in sheet metal.

Sculptors find their metal-head in sheet metal master class

Creating colour with Papa We were so pleased to welcome back artist, Papa Essel, to the arthaus for two days of painting and print-making. A lucky group of Year 7 artists were inspired by Ghanaian art and revelled in this cultural and colourful opportunity to express their feelings in words and symbols.

Students learnt the many techniques of print making, using delicately, patterned wooden blocks and lino cut-outs. They created bold prints on kente cloth - a silk and cotton interwoven fabric that is produced in Ghana.

Writing for Stage and Screen

Writing for stage and screen was the focus of an inspiring workshop for Drama students recently. Animation and drama script writer, Ian Pike and actor - director Stephan Finegold were on a mission to enhance students playwriting techniques. The fantastic workshop was organised by local Arts Centre Square Chapel, in association with Calderdale Theatre School.

Session one was led by Ian and explored the importance of storyline structure. Included was a group discussion and a demonstration exploring the spine of the story. Ian put forward the theory; If you cant describe the plot in one line - the story will not work.

Characters were the hot topic for the group as they looked deeply into how to make a character viable, interesting and believable on paper. To turn up the heat, everyone took part in a hot seating exercise! a critical tool, when working on character development. Everyone will get the chance to run with all these tips and tricks in subsequent drama lessons; they will then go on to write a short play.

Session two put Stephen in charge and students created their own story boards and plotlines. Drawing on his experience as a professional actor and director, Stephen gave students vital feedback on their work as they focused on developing dialogue. Summing up the plot in just one word was one of the trickiest challenges of all! With plot, characters and storyline in place, some sparky scripts began to tick all the right boxes.

Students have an exclusive opportunity to submit their work to an up and coming playwrights festival. Seeing their play unfold live at Square Chapel will become a reality for the best pieces of theatre. Exciting stuff!

Four Yorkshiremen, enhanced the classic Monty Python sketch of a discussion about tea; Oh, we never had a cup. We used to have to drink out of a rolled up newspaper, started the ball rolling for Jack Hill, Chris Rhodes, Sam Rothery and Sam Wharvell who competed in the poorer than thee stakes.

Later on, a flat-capped Karol Seroczynski moved everyone with his touching account of finding a warm welcome in his new home of Yorkshire.

The reight grand show was interlaced with quality music performances that took us back to our Yorkshire roots. Beginning with New World Symphony, we were soon thinking about all the benefits of Yorkshire tea, bread, biscuits and beer.

The indie folk ballad, Yesterday Music (written and performed by Adam Crowther and Connor Fahey); Last of the Summer Wine (played softly by the Concert Band); and Gresford (the Brass Ensembles tribute to all those who perished down the mines) confirmed to everyone in the audience, the strength and breadth of musical talent at the school.

Yorkshire Style, performed by boy band, The Yorkshireteers, provided a hilarious skit on Psys global hit, Gangnam Style, vying with the original for top entertainment.

It truly wer A Reight Grand Show!Summer shows at Brooksbank are always memorable, however, this celebration of all things Yorkshire was tight, funny and consummate. There was nothing grim up North about this show, which has set a new benchmark in performing arts at the school.

The cast of Yorkshire Tykes felt empowered by Yorkshires gifts of dialect, grit and swagger. The audience knew they were in for a right treat from the off, as a cocky, Conor Joy sidled on stage, hands in pockets, with a take it or leave it look on his face.

Northern grit and spot-on comedy timing were this shows great strengths and we felt right at home watching the often hilarious and frequently cheeky sketches, which came thick and fast. Blackadder with a twist of Yorkshire, saw Toby Rogan, Casper Shaw and Matthew Whiteley retread the relationship between the mean-spirited Lord and his dim-witted donkey, Baldrick.

Josh Bean and Nick Raw proved to be inspiring show-stealers. Reminiscing about the old days, this plain-speaking, flat capped, duo certainly gave Pete and Dud a run for their money! They also dared to mock without mercy, their friend, Big Kev the one who liked his ginger nuts!

There were more musical high notes in the second half. Kicking off with a rocking, Love Me Again (performed by Rock School) we were eager for more show-stoppers! Thinking Aloud and I Predict a Riot (a nod to Sheffields, Kaiser Chiefs) worked a treat! This was rubber-stamped with Even Song and the haunting Speak Softly Love with delightful harmonies by the Chamber Choir.

Entertainment of a darker kind followed when A level Drama students, Phoebe McMahon, Lamece Varley, Adam Crowther, Phoebe Baker, Jess White-Travis and Connor Fahey stepped astride tap room chairs to express their own reworking of Cell Block Tango: the First Tango in Halifax. Murder motives included, mixing up types of tea, buying the wrong kind of biscuits and ordering a donner kebab at the local chippy! A fantastic, ensemble song and dance routine, packed with character development and gutsy delivery we wouldnt want to meet any of them in a dark alley!

The finale wer reight grand too! As the band played the introduction to that well-loved Yorkshire anthem, Ilkley Moor Baht at, the entire cast returned to the stage to let their hair down for a truly rousing rendition.

There was pause for reflection and to pay tribute to Jill Leicester who is stepping down as Director of Arts at Brooksbank. Jill has worked tirelessly on her mission to bring the arts to Brooksbank! and for that we are all truly grateful. Goodbye and Good Luck to Mrs Leicester!

Our recent Music showcase aimed to bring as many first-time performers to Brooksbanks main stage as p