17. Peer Gynt (1974-75)

On the 5th, 6th and 7th December 1974 the School Drama Society presented "Peer Gynt", by Henrik Ibsen, in the school hall. The play was directed by Mr. Collyer.

Peer Gynt is a feckless ne'er-do-well, a boaster, a dreamer, and one to whom the fantasy world of his own vivid imagination is more real than the everyday round. He is the despair of his poverty-stricken widowed mother. He is Everyman; he is the backsliding, shiftless day-dreamer who lurks somewhere in most of us. Like Everyman he is summoned by Death, the Button Moulder, and his soul, like an illmade metal button, is to be melted down in the ladle and to lose its identity. Horrified, Peer seeks for his identity but realises at last that he is a vain, empty creature of no use in the world. His life, in all his varied roles, has been a sham. He is saved from extinction, however, by Solveig's love for him. She represents the ideal of purity and beauty which he has preserved unsullied through all his posturings and humiliations.

The part of Peer Gynt was played with great skill by Adrian Boorman, who is without doubt one of the most accomplished actors we have had at St. Nicholas. The part calls for a great range of moods, from tender sincerity in the scene of the death of Aase, Peer's mother, to the besotted antics of the scene in which Peer is duped and betrayed by Anitra. Further, the actor must portray Peer at various stages of his life from youth to old age, in prosperity and in desolation. He must cope successfully with scenes of tragedy and with pure farce. All this Adrian did with extraordinary success and gave us a memorable performance in this his last school play.

He was most ably supported by the very large cast, many of whom played two or three parts. The play calls for a large number of small cameo parts and there are crowd scenes, such as the wedding, the Hall of the Mountain King and the scene in the lunatic asylum, which require numerous villagers, wedding guests, trolls, lunatics etc. Among these one observed some delightful individual performances, too numerous to record separately, and an overall dedication on the part of all concerned which contributed enormously to the total success.

Mention must be made, however, of a number of prominent roles which were very ably discharged. Helen Boitoult, one of twelve pupils of St. Mary's Grammar School who took part, played Aase, Peer's mother, and displayed the comic exasperation and evoked the pathos of the part with great success. Jonathan Henley was suitably grotesque and authoritative as the Troll King. Malcolm Alter played the sinister Passenger on the ship which brings the aged Peer Gynt back to his country of origin, and Richard Avery rounded off a distinguished series of roles on the school stage by doubling the parts of Dr. Begriffenfeldt, Director of the Lunatic Asylum, and the Button Moulder. Many who saw the play commended the former portrayal but, for this reviewer, Richard's handling of the part of the Button Moulder was the greater of two fine achievements. The dignity and stern authority of this key figure revealed an actor of maturity and experience.

The play was most effectively staged. To suggest the pine forests of Norway, the sands of Egypt and a shipwreck at sea on a small school stage is no mean feat of stagecraft and the means employed, simple yet effective, showed imagination and ingenuity. Skilful lighting and technical effects contributed enormously to the success.

The warmest congratulations are due to the Director, Mr. Collyer, for yet another splendid achievement with an ambitious (and well justified) choice of play

A.J.T.