Rhubarb 2021

The Crucible 2004 Here we catch up with many of the cast from the 2004 performance.

Phillippa Fern Kenyon Shutes

Phillippa Fern Kenyon Shutes, recent

Phillippa Fern Kenyon Shutes (Corfe, 2001-2006)

FEATURE

Character in The Crucible 2004: Mercy Lewis

Tell us about your time at Teddies? I had the best time, made some fabulous friends and have the funniest, fondest memories. I still think about them lots today. My time at Teddies revolved a lot around Drama and Art. The teachers were all so inspiring and the departments were fantastic, we were so lucky to be able to channel our creativity in such amazing spaces. Drama especially was such a huge part of me beginning to understand more about what I wanted to do in the wider world. I’ll always be very grateful for that. The Crucible was an amazing performance to be involved in. I remember how incredible the set design was (a big cross in the middle). I remember how much the cast bonded and how great an opportunity it was to get to know people you may not have known well before. All the actors really wanted to be there and therefore put so much into the performance.There was always such a great family feel to every production I was in at St Edward’s. What have you been up to since leaving St. Edward’s? I went to the University of Birmingham to study Drama and Theatre performance, and then continued on to Drama Centre in London to do my actor training. I worked professionally as an actor for two years before starting my own street food business in London. It was only meant to tick me over while I continued with acting but eventually it took over. I now work as a recipe writer, developer and private chef splitting my time between the UK and Europe, mainly Austria. What is your fondest memory of your time at Teddies? The plays I was involved in, particularly The Crucible and Our Country’s Good. Who was your most inspirational teacher at Teddies? There were many: Lucy Maycock (MCR, 2000-2016), Head of Drama at the time, I think about her often as she was such a huge influence on my life afterwards. A year before I left JoannaWrite (MCR, 2003-2007) started teaching, too, and I loved her classes as well. Mr Cope (MCR, 2001- present) my Geography teacher and all the Art teachers especially Mr Grimshaw (MCR, 1979-1996). And, of course, Mrs KD (MCR, 1999-2009) for putting up with me

Catherine Robey with Andrew Goddard

Catherine Robey, recent

Catherine Robey-Ancient (née: Robey) (Corfe, 2004-2006)

Character in The Crucible 2004: Sarah Good

Tell us about your time at Teddies? The Crucible was my first production at Teddies after I joined the School in Lower Sixth. I was delighted to be cast, even in a small role, because at the time I wanted to be an actor. As a new pupil at the School I was impressed and excited by how professional the rehearsals were and the high quality of set, costumes and performance. I remember the production being full of extremely talented pupils playing lead roles, some of whom are professionals now, including Emilia Clarke (Corfe, 2000-2005) and Andrew Goddard (Segar’s, 2002-2007). It was in this show that I met Andrew and we became the closest of friends. Now, 15 years later, he is godfather to my newborn son! What have you been up to since leaving St Edward’s? I was an undergraduate in Drama and Theatre Arts at Goldsmith’s College, where I realised I was a director and not an actor. I then trained on the MFA in Theatre Directing at Birkbeck College and have since directed at theYoung Vic, Shakespeare’s Globe, HOME and RADA. I have just finished a two-year post as Deputy Artistic Director of Jermyn Street Theatre in London’s West End. I am now on maternity leave and afterwards will go back to freelance theatre directing. What is your fondest memory of your time at Teddies? Really, all the theatre productions! I felt most at home onstage and backstage, and made the Drama Department my second home. I particularly remember performing in the brilliant production of Les Misérables, and playing the lead in Pass It On by Doug Lucie as part of the National Theatre’s Shell Connections.

Who was your most inspirational teacher at Teddies? Mr Pleming (MCR, 1997-2011) – my English teacher.

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