Beowulf Review – Oliver Goodwin-Day
Since even before term began, the drama department have been tirelessly rehearsing Beowulf to perform to many RHS pupils, teachers and parents alike; with lots of time and effort from both the staff and pupils.
Beowulf (played by Will Sellers), the hero of the story, comes from over the seas to the Land of the Scyldings. There he finds the Scyldings suffering terribly; their lives have been ripped apart by a hideous creature – half man, half monster – known as Grendal. Beowulf takes Grendal on and slays him. Then Ashere (Jacob Wharmby), a high ranking Scylding goes missing. Wealtheow (Erin Eales), the Scylding queen realises the culprit must be Grendal’s Mother; she has come to avenge the death of her son. Beowulf finds Grendal’s mother in a strange, watery world. After a fearsome struggle, he destroys her too. Following this success, he sails home to the Land of the Geats. Shortly after Beowulf arrives home, the Geats are attacked by the Frisians. A mighty war breaks out. Led by Beowulf, the Geats defeat the Frisians. Beowulf becomes king. Time passes and Beowulf becomes Old Beowulf. The Geats enjoy a golden era until a slave (Eve Mansfield) accidently awakens a dragon. Old Beowulf sets out with a trusty soldier known as Wiglaf (Thomas Lockyer). Beowulf takes the dragon on and wounds him but, in so doing, he becomes injured himself. He dies in Wiglaf’s arms before this brave fellow faces the dragon and slays him. Wiglaf returns to the Land of the Geats, arranges a sea burial for the old king and the entire country celebrates the life of their hero, Beowulf.
Over the course of the play, many RHS students showed their full potential, with a range of battling, death and, well, gore.
We have the students to thank for the performances, particularly William Sellers, who played Beowulf, Thomas Lockyer (Wiglaf), Ollie Woods, Old Beowulf, The Scyldings, The Geats, and The puppeteers and any other person involved.
The performance was very well rehearsed, and many congratulations must go to Mr Kerr for organising the whole thing, and to all the students who took part in the musical.
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