Newsflash What a Feeling

It is always a pleasure to visit a production by KTDZ and this one was no exception, as usual everything about the production was “home grown,” the script, the directing, the set and of course the performers.

This story centred around two schools, Eastside which is a state school at the lower end of education and Pinchills which is a fee-paying school for pupils whose parents can afford the fees plus some scholarship pupils.

Eastside School has unfortunately been destroyed by fire under mysterious circumstances. There is speculation that the incident could be linked to Blaze, a local with a history of pyromania, portrayed by Anna Wilkie. Consequently, the students from Eastside School have been relocated to Pinchills, which has caused dissatisfaction among the pupils of the receiving school.

The two sets of pupils are depicted by their variety of uniforms, Pinchills being all monotone and Eastside being very colourful including glitter and sparkles.

The Pinchills’ pupils are organising their next edition of the school magazine with Zachary, played by Darcy Norris, as editor, the various pupils are giving Zachary their articles for publishing, of course the ones from Eastside are also wanting to put their articles in but there is some resistance to this from Pinchills.

One of the Eastside pupils, Flick has an infatuation with one of the girls from Pinchills, Caroline which she does not respond to, at least not the way Flick would like her to respond. Flick was played excellently by Holly Cornish, who sings “Sweet Caroline” made famous by Neil Diamond, to Caroline played equally good by Alexia Zamba, eventually, Caroline relents and agrees to a date with Flick.

There are many various relationships in this piece which, as usual from KYDZ have some really thought-provoking messages.

As the “war” between the two rival schools develops they engage in a chess match during which they all sing Take on Me, the A-Ha song, during the game Pinchills are beaten by Eastside.

During the action one of the students, I presume from Eastside due to her colourful costume, acts as the narrator, Annie Fergusson did a great job of portraying Ray here.

Throughout the play there are various sketches, one of which is based on David Knights, who alongside Jamie Knights supplied the choreography. The sketch tells of David’s passion for KYDZ as well as his little mannerisms such as his various T-shirts and his greeting to everyone when he enters the room “Hello, Good Evening and Welcome” even if it is during the morning.

As usual a great deal of research has gone into producing this play and they have used the famous speech by Winston Churchill, “We Shall Fight Them on the Beaches” etc, which I doubt many of the youngsters will have known about.

As they start to come round to being friends, they all sing “War-What is it Good For?” Sung by Edwin Starr.

Eventually Eastside school is re-built and it is time for the pupils to move back home, however they all realise they have enjoyed each other’s company and both schools end by singing the Gloria Gaynor song, “I Will Survive”.

Once again KYDZ have produced a very successful show which was enjoyed by everyone in the audience and as usual it is obvious to see how their various characters are developing both on and off stage as well as their confidence.

This really is community theatre at its heart and I am sure not only the youngster involved but also their parents are grateful to the founders and supporters for all they do.

Congratulations once again to everyone involved with KYDZ.It is always a pleasure to visit a production by KTDZ and this one was no exception, as usual everything about the production was “home grown,” the script, the directing, the set and of course the performers.

This story centred around two schools, Eastside which is a state school at the lower end of education and Pinchills which is a fee-paying school for pupils whose parents can afford the fees plus some scholarship pupils.

Eastside School has unfortunately been destroyed by fire under mysterious circumstances. There is speculation that the incident could be linked to Blaze, a local with a history of pyromania, portrayed by Anna Wilkie. Consequently, the students from Eastside School have been relocated to Pinchills, which has caused dissatisfaction among the pupils of the receiving school.

The two sets of pupils are depicted by their variety of uniforms, Pinchills being all monotone and Eastside being very colourful including glitter and sparkles.

The Pinchills’ pupils are organising their next edition of the school magazine with Zachary, played by Darcy Norris, as editor, the various pupils are giving Zachary their articles for publishing, of course the ones from Eastside are also wanting to put their articles in but there is some resistance to this from Pinchills.

One of the Eastside pupils, Flick has an infatuation with one of the girls from Pinchills, Caroline which she does not respond to, at least not the way Flick would like her to respond. Flick was played excellently by Holly Cornish, who sings “Sweet Caroline” made famous by Neil Diamond, to Caroline played equally good by Alexia Zamba, eventually, Caroline relents and agrees to a date with Flick.

There are many various relationships in this piece which, as usual from KYDZ have some really thought-provoking messages.

As the “war” between the two rival schools develops they engage in a chess match during which they all sing Take on Me, the A-Ha song, during the game Pinchills are beaten by Eastside.

During the action one of the students, I presume from Eastside due to her colourful costume, acts as the narrator, Annie Fergusson did a great job of portraying Ray here.

Throughout the play there are various sketches, one of which is based on David Knights, who alongside Jamie Knights supplied the choreography. The sketch tells of David’s passion for KYDZ as well as his little mannerisms such as his various T-shirts and his greeting to everyone when he enters the room “Hello, Good Evening and Welcome” even if it is during the morning.

As usual a great deal of research has gone into producing this play and they have used the famous speech by Winston Churchill, “We Shall Fight Them on the Beaches” etc, which I doubt many of the youngsters will have known about.

As they start to come round to being friends, they all sing “War-What is it Good For?” Sung by Edwin Starr.

Eventually Eastside school is re-built and it is time for the pupils to move back home, however they all realise they have enjoyed each other’s company and both schools end by singing the Gloria Gaynor song, “I Will Survive”.

Once again KYDZ have produced a very successful show which was enjoyed by everyone in the audience and as usual it is obvious to see how their various characters are developing both on and off stage as well as their confidence.

This really is community theatre at its heart and I am sure not only the youngster involved but also their parents are grateful to the founders and supporters for all they do.

Congratulations once again to everyone involved with KYDZ.

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