School Production Archive

blue stockings - March 2019

The Senior Production 2019 was Blue Stockings by Jessica Swale.  Set in 1890, the play explored the experiences of the first women at Girton College, Cambridge and featured a mix of both fictional and real-life characters and incidents.  It told the story of four young women who were passionate to succeed in their academic studies. Despite studying for the same degree as their male peers, and matching them grade for grade, the women were sent home empty-handed without an academic degree. 

Jessica Swale is an Olivier Award winning playwright, director and screen writer.  Blue Stockings was her first play and it premiered at The Globe Theatre, London, in August 2013 to critical acclaim.  A 'Bluestocking' is a term which refers to a woman of considerable intellect and scholarly ability dating back to the 18th Century, although it later became a term of derision and lack of respect.  Our play explored both these connotations and we were truly delighted and excited to present this story about women suffragists here at Farnborough Hill.  The Theatre on the Hill was transformed to provide a setting for this historical play with a large-scale facade of Girton College and backdrop.

Performed with a cast, choir and crew of some 30 girls from the Lower School (Years 8 and 9), this well-known story by C S Lewis, adapted by RSC’s Adrian Mitchell, could not fail to have connected audiences with its deep significance and power.

Performed in the main Hall, the action filled the space in a creative way with Narnia and the ‘World of Men’ cleverly spanning both stage and floor, keeping the energy alive for all concerned.  The stage crew enjoyed the skills required in fast set changes which supported the actors throughout their performance. Atmosphere and mood were created simply yet effectively by superb lighting effects and projections.  The sound effects of Aslan’s great roar and the exquisite hand-painted masks startled yet excited the younger members of the audiences. Make-up created an imposing and powerful White Witch and the many animals too were charmingly and innocently played along with some sparkling duets from many of the lead actors.

Acting, singing and general musical skills demonstrated not only talent but real potential and it was wonderful to see the girls expressing this so fully and confidently.