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Oliver!
Emily Kenny (S6En), assistant director of
Oliver!, talks exclusively with members of
cast and crew to get the inside story on
the production of this fantastic musical
extravaganza.
POV – Assistant Director:
It was a great opportunity to be able to take
on the role of assistant director for “Oliver!”
after having been involved in several productions
as an actor since S2. At first it was
strange, because I suddenly found myself
with a lot more power and responsibility: at
rehearsals I could tell the actors who were
watching to be quiet, and tell the actors on
stage to speak louder. Being the assistant
director was also very tiring because I had
to attend every rehearsal, always remain
alert and pay particular attention to the
continuity of the scenes.
I have known that I want to pursue
a career in show business, as both
an actor and a director, since I was
13, so having the chance to be the
assistant director, and to explore
another aspect of theatre was an
invaluable experience that I will
never forget. I have learned a great
deal about directing, it has given
me a fantastic insight into the details
of how a production is put together,
and has also increased my
appreciation for how much work is
really involved.
Interviews:
Miss O’Neill (director)
What is the best and worst part about being
the director?
The worst part is worrying about whether
I’ve forgotten anything important. The best
part is seeing the change in the kids, and
seeing them stand on the stage and
achieve things they never thought they
would at the beginning of the rehearsal
process.
How long have you been involved with projects
like “Oliver!”?
Many many years. Since I was about 14,
which wasn’t very long ago, as everyone in
the school knows! So I started when I was
at school. My first project was a play with a
boys’ school called The Beaux Stratagem by
George Farquhar and I played Dorinda.
What made you choose “Oliver!”?
We chose “Oliver!” because it has lots of
young people in it, it has great songs, and
it’s based on a very good story by Charles
Dickens.
Herr Mohr (musical director)
What is the best and worst part about being
the musical director?
The main reason why I love doing musicals
is the teamwork between drama, arts and
music, and the idea that the whole school
is doing a big project together. The result is
that students gain experiences which are
valuable for many different subjects and
which they will never forget in their lives.
For musicians it's also important to listen
and pay attention to anything that is going
on in a show. They don't just sing and play
the songs they have practiced but have to
react quickly to sudden changes and have
to concentrate and listen to the others permanently.
Of course it's difficult to find common extra
times to rehearse, and the music score is a
work in progress: sometimes there are
changes in the songs or new versions which
cause irritation, lost copies (which is the
worst part!), but I feel that the concentration
and the enthusiasm everybody contributes
can compensate for these problems.
And the thrilling excitement before and in
the show is also one of the best parts of
being the musical director!
How long have you been involved with projects
like "Oliver!"?
At the school I worked at before I came to
the ESF I had done some musicals before,
but the drama part was more or less improvised.
For me working on musicals has
gained a new dimension since “Little Shop
of Horrors” in 2009 and “Grease” in 2011
because of the fantastic collaboration with
Miss O'Neill and the actors. It made the
musicals into what they are meant to be: a
“Gesamtkunstwerk” as we say in German.
What made you choose "Oliver!"?
Last autumn I watched a school performance
of “Oliver!” in Wiesbaden and I really
enjoyed the great literary plot by Charles
Dickens, the quality of the songs, and the
fact that it is about people of the age of our
students. The main topics of the musical
(growing up, thinking independently, love,
and seduction by others) are still up to date
even if it is set in the 19th century.
Shortly after I had watched the show, Miss
O'Neill suggested to perform “Oliver!” and
of course I was very happy with that choice.
I also like the idea that the music has been
written for a small orchestra (unfortunately
we couldn't involve the whole orchestra)
and not for a rock band. That was a new
challenge for our school orchestra and me.
The songs are attractive for the choir as
well - like in most musicals there are a lot of
English lyrics to be learned.
Oliver (played by Felipe Gross)
Have you ever been involved in something
like this before?
Yes, but not at this school. I was
in Annie and I played Mr. Warbucks.
What is your favourite and least
favourite part of doing “Oliver!”?
My favourite part is the singing,
and what I like least is being hungry.
Would you do something like this
again?
Maybe not next year, but maybe another
year. I’m having fun but it’s hard to manage
my homework and studying for tests.
Charley (played by Oskar Kolkiewicz)
Have you ever been involved in something
like this before?
Not something you had to audition for, only
in primary school productions where the
whole class was involved.
What is your favourite and least favourite
part of doing Oliver?
My favourite part is meeting people and
getting the feeling that you’re part of something.
My least favourite part is learning the
lines, but it’s still fun!
Would you do something like this again?
Yeah, definitely!