The Happiest Days of Your Life

Monday, 8th December 2008

This term?s drama production, ?The Happiest Days of Your Life?, banished the gloom of a damp and cold November. The play, set directly after the Second World War, tells of the efforts of the bewildered Head Master of Hilary Hall, (played imposingly after due research of the role by Joshua Cainer), to protect the sturdy masculinity of his school when it is invaded by the Principal, (an overbearing pillar of respectability played by Sasha Stock), staff and girls of St. Swithins School, who have been directed by the Ministry to share the boys? premises whilst their school is rebuilt. The conflict of the sexes is halted temporarily by the need to persuade two sets of visiting parents that only one school is in residence. Each member of the cast gave a performance which conveyed the essence of their stereotypical roles, whether as a shamelessly mischievous schoolboy, (Aaron Rudolph), an over-zealous and infatuated schoolgirl, (Chana Bernstein and Jessica Marcus), or as Rainbow, the much-put-upon school porter, (Jacob Rabin). The assistant masters were a delightful contrast: Billings, (Jared Paysner) is a wonderfully seasoned misogynist, whose worst fears that St. Swithins School?s arrival heralds the end of any peace of mind and freedom are confirmed by the fearfully naïve and enthusiastic Miss Gossage, (Tania Margolin). The longings of Tassell, (Daniel Davis), Billings? sporty colleague, for female society are fulfilled by Joyce Harper, (Sophie Lobl), who has managed to retain her femininity, despite her proximity to the commanding Miss Whitchurch. The two sets of parents, the dignified and undemanding Reverend Peck and his kindly wife, and Mr and Mrs Edgar Sowter, wealthy, opinionated and suspicious, were well presented by Samuel Kennard and Hannah Goldstein and Joseph Berenson and Hanna Baderman respectively.