Daisy Pulls It Off

Daisy Pulls It Off is a play by Denise Deegan and is set in the 1920’s in the the historical institution that is the mighty Grangewood School for Girls. It tells the story of Daisy Meredith, a girl from a poor background, who has won a scholarship to the elite school and is forced to face and overcome snobbish prejudice, schoolgirl pranks and false accusations. The privileged students, especially Sybil Burlington a cruel and conceited student, are determined to get rid of her but she is befriended by Head Girl, Clare Beaumont, who is kind to her and she meets Trixie, a friendly, madcap student, who takes an instant shine to Daisy. The School Administration has its own problems, financial ones, but there is talk of missing treasure. Eventually, Daisy wins over her chums, saves the school when she cracks a secret code and finds the treasure, helps the school to victory in the all-important Hockey Cup Final, saves the life of her chief nemesis and her friend, solves the mystery of the Russian teacher and is reunited with her father.  

The innovative set, on the small and intimate stage area, was so arranged as to depict various scenarios and it worked really well. To Stage Left there was a large framed flat on which was the school Notice Board alongside an Honours Board. In front of this was a small raised dais on top of which was a bench, which later become a bed in the ‘isolation room’ and to the side of this was a desk and chair (the Head’s Office). Stage Right was a similar Board bedecked with fine framed portraits and against it was a free-standing bookcase again on a small dais. This area became the classroom and also depicted the Library. In the middle high up on the back wall was a large screen on which were shown images to further enhance the settings, as did the addition of excellent props. The Set Design and Build was by the Cast and Production Team, the Set and Prop Management by Patricia Church, Louise Jenkins, Alex Libby and Mike Horvath and the Set and Stage Crew were Tom Hammond, Nikki Rowe and Barry Brown.

The huge and demanding role of Daisy was outstandingly portrayed by Kat Fenton. She was totally convincing as the somewhat innocent, hopeful yet determined new student. She captured the many nuances of the character to perfection and her facial expressions of joy, incredibility, sadness and despair were just so wonderful. Her asides as a narrator and the outpourings of her thoughts were so naturally undertaken and her solo singing was a delight as were the numerous mentions of her four brothers, with accompanying height levels. It was truly an exceptional performance. Another superb portrayal came from Louisa Jenkins as Trixie Martin. She was so endearing, so exuberant, so enthusiastic and her animated gestures and facial expressions were just sublime. She befriended and became the best pal of Daisy and together they were such a formidable and irrepressible ‘double’ act’ so different in many ways but their madcap antics and adventures were just so believable and so joyous to watch. Sara Noble-Nesbitt was in her element playing the over-bearing, snobbish and prejudiced bully, Sybil Burlington, who was trying her level best to get Daisy expelled by her constant pranks and mean-spirited accusations. She really did revel in the behavioural traits of Sybil as was obvious from her displays of sheer enjoyment at Daisy’s downfalls. However, after being saved by Daisy, Sara showed great remorse in her apology for all her former actions. Kat Foxx excelled as Sybil’s side-kick and friend, Monica Smithers and she totally captured a condescending attitude towards Daisy. They too, were a great pairing. As Clare Beaumont, Head Girl and Sports Captain, Tracey Wilkinson’s performance was ideal in that she delivered the thoughtfulness and kindness, whilst showing great strength and commanding respect, in both the characters perceived roles. Her true and loyal friend, Alice Fitzpatrick, was splendidly played by Meg Russell. Jo Attenborough gave good support as Belinda Mathieson, Captain of the Upper 4th. whilst also playing the role of Daisy’s opera singing Mother. Alyson Koe was every inch the strict and no-nonsense English teacher, Miss Granville, and she also doubled up as Winnie Irving, one of the girls. Another doubling up came from Diane Churchill firstly as the flustered Mademoiselle and then as Dora Johnston, one of the girls. What a gem of a role was given to Mik Horvath as ‘Headmistress’. He was absolutely brilliant, he brought out the authoritative aspects of the character with such swagger and ease whilst managing to show concern and some kindness. It was an exceptional and unforgettable portrayal! Martin Drake was excellent as Mr. Scolowski, the Russian Teacher of music and geography. He had a first-rate accent and suspicions of him, by Daisy and Trixie, were finally explained by Martin A Baker as Mr. Thompson, the whistling gardener (also the Station Master) who turned out, following the finding of the treasure, to be Daisy’s father and the heir to the school. 

There were some really memorable scenes. We saw a tremendous water-bottle fight and witnessed a most imaginative and enthusiastic Hockey Match. The dramatic rescue of Sybil and Monica was so innovatively carried by Daisy using knotted sheets and took place high up on the Balcony of the room. It was just so ingeniously and quite movingly achieved. The costumes were great and so in keeping with the times, especially the school uniforms for the girls and gowns for the teachers, and the extravagant outfits worn by the ‘Headmistress’ were just outrageously sumptuous. The set was further enhanced by good lighting, Design by Nick Mothershaw and operated by Alex Libby and sound effects, Design and operation by Rob Snell. There was some great singing by the girls none more so than the rousing ‘School Anthem’ which brought the whole entertaining and first-rate production to a ‘Capital’ finale. Many congratulations to Director Patricia Church, to Production Co-ordinator Mik Horvath, to everyone Backstage and Front of House, but most especially to the exceptional cast - who did indeed, ’pull it off’! My thanks also, for the warm welcome that I received.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.