The Demon Headmaster

“The Demon Headmaster” is written by Adrian Flynn and based on the original book by Gillian Cross, which was the basis for the well loved children's BBC programme. The show revolves around a group of friends in the SPLAT gang. These children are not controlled by the evil headmaster, like other students at their school. The gang are unsure what is going on with their class mates and don't know why it is not affecting them. A new foster sister arrives and she is able to help the group find out what is happening and work out the headmaster’s grand plan. The crazy Eddie hair show comes to the school and the SPLAT gang manage to overturn the headmaster’s evil plan and save the world. 

The show got off to a slightly late start, but with a full house it was no mean feat to make sure everyone was seated correctly. It was nice to see a lower then average age of the audience compared to most plays we attend.

The show progressed at a quick pace and had numerous scene changes which happened swiftly and quietly. Some plays can take place in one location and have no, or very limited scene changes; this was not one of those plays. There were countless changes in stage set and location making it more challenging to stage and meaning the stage management had a mammoth task. In addition to this, the use of many different stage areas including the auditorium, worked well and helped to show the changes in location. This made the play more interesting to watch.  In addition the lighting design was  effective and the sound ,apart from a few late cues was good throughout.  All dialogue could be heard. Costumes were simplistic but fitting for the play, the efforts that had gone into the minor details should be noted and appreciated, such as the change of tie between students and prefects.

The show must have been very difficult to audition, due to the high number and calibre of company members. This said the principle cast was well chosen and their characterisations were good and maintained throughout. The enjoyment of all the people on stage could be seen and this enhanced the production, as the audience could sense this.

The direction of this play should be praised as managing to get almost 50 people involved in a play would be a daunting task for any experienced director and production team. This is easily the biggest cast we have ever seen in a play. The show which was once on television, can sometimes be criticised for being an exact copy of what people can sit and watch on a screen. In the case of this show I feel it was well played and directed ,making it a captivating piece of theatre with many differences to what was once on the television. The addition of a dance section and choreographed movements were all executed superbly and a valued addition.

Our favourite scene of the show was when the SPLAT gang were in the basement and managed to turn the electric off to stop the evil plan materialising. They were caught out and the auditorium was descended on by an army of robotic students and staff lit by only torch light. This was a very well drilled and an effective scene as the touches being used to good effect,  lighting certain characters in different locations of the theatre.

The show from start to finish had many emotions and themes which were acted out and put across very well by the members of the cast. The show managed to create a real feel good factor, ending with good conquering evil meaning the audience left on a high.

Overall the fast pace of this show, its ever changing scenes and movement about the stage suited the type of audience and provided an enjoyable evening for all. Commendation should be given to the production team and cast for creating this excellent piece of theatre, but the society officials and adults who enable all of this to happen should also be acknowledged. It is amazing to think that this production was completely directed and produced by youth members, unless people are told this fact they would never know. The standard of production and performance can easily rival any adult company. With the dedication and commitment of so many people and the high standard that this Youth Society manages to achieve the future of community theatre is definitely in safe hands. We would like to thank the society for inviting us and we would like to wish them well for their next production of Grease later this year.

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