Gregory’s Girl on the Crieff stage
Pupils stage classic coming-of-age 1980s’ film as a musical
Pupils stage musical version of 1980s hit movie
It may have been a month since Crieff High School pupils gave three energy-filled performances of Gregory’s Girl – but it definitely isn’t too late to sing their praises.
Thirty-five years since the film hit the big screen, this was the first time the classic coming-of-age comedy had been staged as a musical and it was a hit from kick-off to the final whistle.
Penned by the school’s principal teacher of music, David Griffiths, the original songs added an up-beat tempo to Bill Forsyth’s already excellent script. Mr Griffiths is an extremely talented composer and lyricist and the catchy songs and tunes, played by the Gregory’s Girl Band of Owen Nicholson, Jamie McHale, Iona Crosby and Karen Blackwood (led by Mr Griffiths on the piano) quickly caught the audience’s imagination and the recurring themes could be heard being hummed as the smiling crowd left the hall.
What an opportunity for these pupils to be involved in bringing a new musical to the stage and be part of the process of developing it for an audience to enjoy. And they seemed to thrive on the task.
The talent of the cast shone through and each of the young people brought their own little piece of magic to their roles – whether big or small. The story follows Gregory (Reece Liversedge), an awkward teenager who plays in the school football team but is more interested in scoring with the attractive new striker, Dorothy (Leona Craig), than saving the goals.
Gregory has to pluck up the confidence to ask Dorothy out and is helped along the way by his precocious little “big” sister Madeline (Jessica Murphy) and his friends – Baker Steve ( Josh Pritchard), Andy ( James Roddick), Charlie (Freddie Lowe) and window-cleaner Billy (Euan Ferguson).
With Dorothy’s attention definitely more focused on her footballing abilities than Gregory, it is down to the rest of the girls in the school to find him a date – enter Carol (Eve Thomson), Margo (Fiona Coulter) and, finally, Susan (Sarah Melvin) who gets the man.
Characters who appear along the way include Madeline’s love interest Richard (Rooney Kilgannon), school news reporter Gordon, (Ben Pope) and photographer (Keir Williams) and teachers, the newly moustached PE teacher and “real man” Phil ( Lewis Forsyth), Alec ( Alexander Dron) and the lonely Miss Ford (Rebecca Hardman Carter). Plus a cameo role as Gregory’s dad for depute head David Macluskey (Wednesday/Thursday) and Mike Conlon (Friday).
Smaller but equally important roles were played by Jade Halley, Struan Donaldson, Gemma Graham and the penguin (Fin Campbell), who may not speak, but wandered through the scenes with a comic air. Supporting the cast were footballers, chorus and dancers and the trio of ball boys – who all added to the energy and pace of the show – too many names to mention but all stars.
Over 10 original songs cleverly moved the action forward including the brilliantly staged ‘Real Men’ sung by Lewis Forsyth accompanied by the football team in vests and fluorescent head bands; Madeline’s emotive and moving “Do You Dream About Her?”; the up-tempo and very funny “Caracus”, sung by comedy duo Andy and Charlie; and the final number “Count the Moments” sung by Gregory and Susan, set under the stars.
There was also the cleverly choreographed pipe band scene which was stunning. Oh to be able to write about every song and scene in detail!
Not only were pupils giving their all on stage – they were also involved in the choreography, lighting and sound, costumes, make- up and hair, props and set design – with guidance from the production crew Sharon Robertson, Audrey Cramb, Lilian Simpson, Melanie Wilkie, Ralph Haggerty, Norm Ford and Thanassis Kotsis.
This show was a triumph, not just because of Forsyth’s quality script, Mr Griffith’s mesmerising music, the strong actors and singers but also the imaginative staging – the clever use of a split level stage, with the football matches and many of the scenes taking place on the floor in front of the stage giving extra room for the action to take place.
Add to this the thought that had gone into the original ticket and poster designs (pupils Nina Lang and Iona Lennox) and the programme edited by Mrs Wilkie.
Well done Crieff High School. Not only a smashing show, but a world premier to boot – that’s got to be worth a mention!
What an opportunity for these pupils to be involved in bringing a new musical to the stage