The Lower School production of Skellig went ahead Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 June 2023. An exciting interpretation of the play by David Almond, it had a huge cast and crew from Years 7 to 9 and offered opportunities for pupils to get involved in all aspects of putting on a production. 

Set in the suburbs of Newcastle, Michael has moved with his dad and pregnant mum into a dilapidated new house away from his school and friends. Dad has high hopes for full property renovation and a new family chapter. But Michael’s baby sister is born prematurely and everything is suspended in disorder, with ghosts of the old owner Ernie, who died in the property, haunting the space. When Michael discovers a broken creature in the condemned garage at the back of the house’s overgrown garden, fear is mixed with the miraculous and strange. The creature is grotesque and decrepit, is he even human? 

When Michael makes friends with Mina, a homeschooled free spirit raised by her liberal bohemian mother, the broken form of Skellig begins to change and metamorphosise into his true self. It is through Michael’s and Mina’s care and kindness that he begins to restore to something verging on celestial. Yet Skellig doesn’t fit the mould of what an angel should be – is he an atheist angel perhaps? The book feels profound in its revelations, that the extraordinary is everywhere, transformation is possible, and where there is love there is hope.

Ms Archer, Director of Drama, said of Skellig: “I love the questions the story raises about humanity and the notion of otherness and difference, as well as our capacity for wonder in our natural world and the power of simple acts of kindness to transform and change the outcome of things. Without being a religious text, Skellig seems to have echoes of many great literary voices including Wordsworth’s notion of the sublime expressed in The Prelude, ‘Our destiny, our nature, and our home, Is with infinitude – and only there; With hope it is, hope that can never die’, as well reminding me of Gerald Manley Hopkins’ beautiful poem As Kingfishers Catch Fire, who finds God in every living thing: ‘Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his, To the Father through the features of men’s faces’. As adults we appreciate the beauty of our children and as teachers the extraordinary potential of our students. 

“We are very blessed to have so many fantastic young people in the Lower School who have wanted to be involved in both the acting and technical perspective of this production. I couldn’t be more proud of the talent and efforts of all involved and grateful that we can share this fascinating and emotive tale with you, through our wonderful ensemble and lovely realisation of design. We hope you find something beautiful at its heart that resonates and when you leave the Drama Studio you will feel a little transformed as you walk out into a summer evening from our school.” 

Here’s what some of our actors, directors and crew made of their experience:

“As student directors, we’ve been able to work closely with the cast, to help out or provide any advice we might have learnt through our own experience of NHEHS drama (now we hold the wisdom of practically ancient Sixth Formers!). Our favourite part of the process was our first rehearsals, to see the comradery amongst the company building was so fantastic, and this connection as a team is truly what makes productions like ‘Skellig’ so special. We are super proud and hope you enjoy it!” Tiger and Tash

“I really enjoy being stage manager, I have done it for two years and it does not disappoint. I like how the tech and the cast are all very inclusive and it seems like a big family. As I was involved from the beginning, seeing it come along is a great experience, it feels so great seeing how the actors really become their character.” Mia M

“Working in the Angel Chorus was really fun as we were able to work with multi-media theatre. We were able to explore different locations, experiment with fabric and props, and basically use whatever we had on us to create a piece!” Polly W, Manha J, Alanya A, Aditi B, Melissa C, Amerie D, Lottie M, Andrea B, Charlotte W, Daphne C, Daisy G, Cara M, Saba I, Eliana T

“Learning the process of physical theatre was hard, learning how to do it was like a real journey! But it’s so collaborative, we came together and also developed one on one. We were also really supported by Miss Archer, and by each other!” Lilia P