The Keeley Plate committee were so happy to get together recently to discuss another truly exceptional year for our Youth Theatre. The quality we’ve seen confirms there really is no “them and us” when it comes to what our young ones bring to the stage, every play in the season has equal value. If you miss one you miss out!
As always we consider all qualifying plays from the last AGM until now, that is from Streetcar to now. The qualifying plays were Mugged, Taking Breath, Splendour, The Scary Secrets of Septimus Sloane, Rules For Living, The Ash Girl and The Diary of Anne Frank. So that’s the whole of this season so far!
We were delighted to see so many Youth Theatre members in so called ‘Adult Plays’. Cast your mind back to how Katie Bignell held her own in the four-hander that was Splendour – by all accounts a technically challenging play. We also saw Maria Gallagher in Rules for Living and Henry Barriball, Rowan Brown and Vicki Bailey in The Diary of Anne Frank.
We always look forward to the first plays of the season to see what our older youth have in store for us. Jonathan Neary was so memorable and Ben Jeffreys surprised us with a fresh new character. Toby Maynard and Tara Baker stood out too. Emily Foster, Alfie Earl Day and Kate Batcheler were Taking Breath away from audiences and Gemma Bottomley is one to watch. We hope to see more of you next season.
With such a large cast in Septimus the wonderful singing of Maria Gallagher, Tara Baker and Olivia Thynne enabled them to stand out. As did Rowan Brown and Bradley Adams.
When we started to think about the Ash Girl we were singling out name after name after name until we realised we had gone through the whole cast. When analysing it we discerned that it was the groups that worked together so well. The ‘Sins’, the little animals, the sisters and step mother, the Royals, it was such a brilliant play, dark and different, they played it so sensitively, the Chipstead Players are lucky to have them all among our ranks. Then of course in Anne Frank we had stand out performances from Henry Barriball, Vicky Bailey and Rowan Brown.
When thinking about awarding the Keeley Plate four people stood out to us.
Henry Barriball – The lethargic slothworm who really made the most of his amusing lines in The Ash Girl, but it was his role as Peter in The Diary of Anne Frank where he stood out. The play covers a number of years and it required him to show us character development as his outlook changed over time. A difficult role.
Rowan Brown – has such confidence, and she gives the audience confidence, it’s like we feel we’re in safe hands. In Septimus she showed that she truly understood her lines. In the Ash Girl and Anne Frank (two title roles) she had a deep rooted connection to what she was talking about and was emotionally intelligent.
Maria Gallagher – was strong throughout the season, had good stage presence, sang with confidence and really took charge in Septimus. And in Rules For Living she enters the stage at an intense moment and holds her own with a powerful monologue amid the carnage.
Vicky Bailey – has been a mature presence throughout the season, but particularly impressed us in Anne Frank. The role required an understated performance which can be a real challenge, she was the perfect foil to the boisterous Anne. Vicki showed great attention to detail, poise and gracefulness.
We wanted to mention you four in particular and are delighted to award the Keeley Plate this year to – Rowan Brown.