(Enter stage right and stand in the centre of the stage facing the crowd and smile. Set the scene for the readers)
Picture this: it’s nearly the Christmas holidays and strolling around the cold, grit covered campus it’s clear to see that most of us are desperate to get into the festive spirit. Despite the packed library and the hurried rush of students bustling between studying and exams, under the twinkling fairy lights strung over campus there is a more magically festive feel to the university than normal.
On the ground floor of the Students’ Association building, some of Glasgow Caledonian University’s students, who are members of the Drama Society, are rehearsing plays, learning their lines and putting together a showcase. Look at the delight on their faces. See how happy they are not to be revising. No, this is not the exaggerated, glitter-fuelled panto bonanza that grins at us from leaflets strewn across every flat surface around Christmas time. It is a practiced, rehearsed and beloved hobby. Here comes Lauren, president of the society, long hair bustling behind her, that determined expression only one seen on a director’s face.
When asked what is going on, she explains there are two plays being showcased this year but, this year, the performance is much more thrilling for the group than that. “This year the society has basically been split into two groups. We have our actors and, for the first time, we have an actual backstage crew for those who prefer to be behind the scenes, which is really exciting. Everyone’s got their own role this time round so it really feels like a group effort.”
The society are currently practicing for their unmissable Christmas showcase which will take to the stage for one night only. Half of the society will bring to life the trials and triumphs of being a toy in a children’s nursery. The play “Outside the Box” was written by JPS Yates and is a tale anyone would enjoy. Not only is the floppy ragdoll afraid of being totally neglected after a shiny, plastic, perfect new doll arrives on the scene but the group are shocked by the threat of the upcoming dreaded Oxfam toy donation. The HR fairy who is in charge of the toy box and its every day running takes it upon herself to choose which of these loveable characters will be thrown into the charity shop bag. Exploring the impending doubt about self-worth that comes with being replaced, the strength of friendship shown by finding value in each other and the hilarity of a fairy who slept her way to the top – is this really something you want to miss?
The second play is utterly hilarious: named “Tea and Biscuits”, written by Paul West. This is far from your average tea and biscuits scene. As the PTA meeting settles in to discuss dull, mundane matters, odd things begin to happen. As staff members and parents become cuddly and coupley in unusual combinations, it becomes clear this will be an interesting meeting. It’s not until they discover the cursed written on the teapot that they realise something incredibly absurd has happened. The bid to save the extremely befuddled members is rife with trouble and sass.
President Lauren, peering through her glasses, explained that the show is one of their biggest events of the year. “Our performances are part of what makes our society unique. GCU, as a whole, doesn’t really feature many – if any – performances of this kind so our events are one of the few ways students get to embrace the art of theatre while supporting other students. It always ends up being a fun evening and we always celebrate in true Drama fashion with a great night out afterwards, which our audience is invited to.”
Having met the cast, it was clear they all think it’s going to be a show not to be missed and are encourage people to come along:
- Little Ezgi giggled while saying: “You should come and see the play because you will get to see two funny performances. This is amazing to be part of and you might make new friends.”
- Lauren pointed out that it’s relatively unusual: “This is one of the only things the university does that’s like this: the only thing that involved theatre. It’s not serious theatre like Shakespeare or anything – the actors make mistakes and it will just be totally us.”
- Mark was very smiley and said: “It is a fun experience, a lot of laughs and the audience will have a good time.”
- Jonnie, who was joking around, said: “it will be a great warm up for Sassmas (he said with a chuckle) and there’s no other society doing this kind of thing within GCU.”
- Lisa, with a sense of pride, said: “We’ve worked hard to bring it altogether and it would be nice for people to see what we’ve done.”
- Una was happy to say how easy and enjoyable the process has been: “The audience can see how much fun the society is and that if we can do it anyone can do it.”
- Andrew admitted that they are just amateurs out to have a laugh: “It’s fun and we still make mistakes but it’s not serious, it’s just us.”
Walking around the rehearsals, snapping pictures of the cast and crew, it is clear this bunch ooze natural acting talent. Even when only reading lines it makes you giggle and draws you in, eager to find out what happens. As the showcase is in the middle of exams, it would also serve as the perfect way to take an evening off – who really wants to stare at their bedroom walls for extra time anyway?!
Sat at the side of the stage, we watch as the actors give each other pointers, Lauren described how delighted she was by the great group dynamic this year. “Most of our members this year are new to the society but we do have a few familiar faces. Our committee were all members last year and we have one member who’s been part of the Drama Society for at least three years now. Some of our backstage crew were in the audience last year and now they’re putting this performance together. So, we’re all learning together really.”
As the backstage crew were hard at work, stretching yellow, clattery measuring tapes across the stage, discussing the logistics and appearance of the show as a whole, the cast run through scenes. Often going over the same ten words over and over, each time varying expression, altering tone and emphasising differently. The grin after a perfected line is definitely worth it though – with several of them becoming almost gleeful when nailing several lines in concession. Watching it come together bit by bit is thrilling to watch, even just for one afternoon. As an outsider, you quickly assume the group are semi-professional and have been preparing for months, at the very least. But this is far off the mark.
Lauren, shook her head, scowling slightly, but giggling with a glowing look of pride. She explained: “It’s so much work to put together a performance on a scale like this. We only have 12 weeks to create, cast and rehearse this in two hour meetings, which really depends on the commitment of our members. Luckily this year with our production crew, the workload is shared better but it’s still quite intense. It’s a real dedication but it will be worth it.”
“So, ladies and gentlemen, on Wednesday 13 December, the Social Learning Space on campus will transform into a theatre for one evening only. Tickets are only £3 each for an evening packed with laughter and enjoyment. What could be better than a few hours of a teapot gone rogue, romantically confused teachers, a stormtrooper, a rag-doll and a cuddly teddy bear? Sounds like a great night out to me.”
(Bow and exit stage left)
© All photos were taken by Tamsin Ross
Scottish Journo in Training 
Leave a comment