Chronicle Summer 2023

40 ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE

Isabella Robson, Joshua Pilling, Anya Firth, Amelie Ward, Scarlett Speir and Rowan Campbell

Fresh from their extraordinary performances in November’s Othello production, Felix Forsyth and Jemima Paganuzzi played Amos Hart and Liz with the same dexterity and invention. Felix delved into the pitiful side of Amos, the gullible husband of Roxie, with a stunning composure and improvisatory skill that gave all the depth needed in such a multi-faceted show. Eva Lamb’s truly gutsy rendition of Mama Morton, the governess of the whole criminal/showbiz gang, conveyed the deep comedy and irony of the whole musical, mixed with an invigorating sense of self-mockery as the ludicrous nature of the plot ramped up in the second half. Luisa Kulterer as the sob journalist Mary Sunshine and Anastascia Lind as Mona gave equally thrilling performances, as did the dazzling dancing duo of Prisca Olagunju and Sadie Newman, supported by Imogen Shaw and Ziggy Dale. If the spectacle of the show was one thing that captivated audiences night after night, ‘electric’ was another adjective applied innumerable times – and that is

largely down to the dancers, reporters, judges and supporting actors that made up the ensemble, taken from the Shell to the Upper Sixth. Tallulah Redding and Corban Goodsell gave a frighteningly realistic aura to the corrupted murder trial, while Teddy Dorich, Rowan Campbell, Imy Stuart and Omolara Sowande showed a suitably sycophantic side to the ghoulish journalists that follow Roxie around Chicago in her search for criminal celebrity. ‘She Had It Coming’ made full use of this eclectically brilliant depth of Teddies talent, with Josie Denvir, Eve Burton, Ziggy Dale, Aurea Frei, Kitty Dale, Imogen Shaw, Luisa Raphael, Rose Nevile, Molly Clayton, Livvy Hughes, Daisy Barton, Poppy Lind and Emily Sharman all contributing to the grotesquely wonderful scenes of deceit and deception. What the audience experienced over five days was the result of seven intense weeks of rehearsing and immersion for the cast, crew, band, and production team. The musical impact and ability of the band cannot be overstated: they gave a simply incredible rendition of a fiendishly difficult

score with an assurance that matched the West End. Led by Alex Tester as Musical Director, the relatively small team was both a constant support to the action on stage while giving a new life of its own to John Kander’s famous score. It was a display of consummate musicianship, with Alex Niblett, Algy Low and Harry Stuart giving an inspired performance, night after night at the back of the stage. The assuredly professional team of stage, lighting, sound, costume and design managers all played vital roles. The sight and sound of the Teddies community humming their favourite tunes as they walked out of the Olivier will long be something to remember and to cherish. Above all, Chicago allowed us to share in the individual brilliance of our pupils and teachers, to delight in the team spirit and intricacy of the production, and, most importantly, to come together with music, dance and drama in superlative nights of creation, dedication and joy. Chicago showed in the Olivier Hall from 1st – 4th March 2023