By Mrs M Donaldson, Director of Performing Arts

On Monday 24th February, Felsted’s U6 Drama pupils performed an extract from Philip Ridley's 'The Pitchfork Disney' for the AQA Visiting Examiner and a Felsted audience of pupils, staff and parents. Three pupils were assessed for acting and another for lighting design.

Set in 1991, ‘The Pitchfork Disney’ by Philip Ridley is ‘in yer face’, an emerging genre of the time period that was provocative and often twisted.  The play is set in an East London terrace house, where a pair of dysfunctional 28 year old twins live in fear of the outside world.

Presley Stray (Ethan T) cares for Haley Stray (Jiayin G), although both are 28, they have special needs and mental health issues and behave more like 14 and 10 years old respectively.  The pair are obsessed with chocolate and bicker or tell each other stories. Their strange past is hinted at throughout the play. Both seek comfort.  Something odd bubbles under the surface of their relationship.
 

Comso Disney (Monty J) makes an unexpected entrance into this strange world when Presley brings him in from the street outside.  Although only 18 years old, he starts to dominate and manipulate Presley, expressing extreme views that are at odds with his behaviour. 

Well done U6 on a well rehearsed, creative and engaging performance; we await the results in August to see what the Examiner thought.

Drama at Felsted