The Legend of Sleepy Hollow

 ‘The Legend of Sleepy Hollow’ was a spooky one act dramatization of a well-liked schoolmaster whose love for a lovely lassie leads him through the notorious Sleepy Hollow to confront the Headless Horseman. The well drilled cast performed in mime while the story is told by seven narrators all of whose diction was clear and whose menace at times palpable. Their dark costumes set against a dark background focussed on their faces, giving the play its creepy atmosphere. The main role of Ichabod Crane, the schoolmaster was divided between Aaron and Aiden Ross who portrayed a likeable man. Louise Brown, as the lovely Katrina Van Tassell, made us wonder if she was as innocent as she seemed. Her father Baltrus Van Tassel was made to seem bold yet trusting by Taylor Lewandowski while suspicions were raised about the sly Brom Bones in Aiden Johnston’s performance.

The second performance ‘Connection’, devised by the youngsters themselves, explored a future where technology has taken over our social lives to the extent that we had no named parts. This continued the unnerving theme for the evening with its opening sequence of a computer trying to connect followed by a scene where all the youngsters moved about glued to their mobile phones yet managing not to bump into one another or ‘connect’. The sole human not technologically connected was a lonely figure who was symbolically dressed in a costume of newspapers before redeeming the others.

Throughout, the cast moved with control and confidence, the two dancers interpreted well and the singing excerpts showed considerable talent. Their concentration, awareness of space, work as a team coupled with visual technology were all clearly demonstrated. They should be proud of their achievement in giving us a thought provoking and memorable evening.  Well done.

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