THE SCHOOL PLAY ON ASSOCIATION DAY `GODSPELL'
by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ
Benedict Eccles
Simon Ferguson Mary Owen Debbie Coxon Susan Wood Patrick Sacco Vincent Owen Vincent Whelan Neil Clancy Andrew McFarlin Danny Connor Vincent Milner Richard Corrigan Gavin Felton Alastair Tyndale
Jesus
John the Baptist/Judas
BAND
Peter Jones, Leslie Smith, Dominic Weston - Keyboards, Marion James - Guitar
Dino James - Percussion
Lighting - Nigel Connor, Paul McNicholl, Peter Luk,
Paul Baptie.
Set - Miss Pamela Franklin, James Tye, the Cast et al.
The musical `Godspell', based freely on the Gospel
according to Saint Matthew, depicts Jesus's ministry on earth, His teachings and parables, illustrated by exaggerated mime, and ending with His betrayal and crucifixion and the dawn of understanding among the people.
Any musical requires the dual abilities of singing and acting, talents not readily found together in all 14-18 year olds. Yet Cotton's cast of fifteen were all capable of their parts in both respects, as well as being athletically fit, somersaulting, leaping and cart-wheeling across the stage with the utmost vitality. Special mention and pride of place must go without a doubt to Benedict Eccles who, playing the part of Jesus, undertook the role with obvious understanding and sensitivity. On stage almost the entire time and then nearly always the central figure, he was able to lose himself under his clown's appearance and portray with sincere feeling the loving kindness, humour, sadness and despair of Christ. His acting was superb, his singing well-directed and clear, his stamina unflagging.
