Daisy Pulls It Off

by Denise Deegan | Directed by Lisa Harrington | Performed June 2021

“Daisy pulls it off” is a jolly romp in the style of the old Angela Brazil books for girls...

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Spiffing show at Shaw House

There is much to enjoy in this production

New Era Players: Daisy Pulls it Off. In the grounds of Shaw House from Thursday June 17 to Saturday 19 and 24 - 26

Shaw House provided the perfect backdrop to New Era’s production of Denise Duggan’s jolly ripping yarn Daisy Pulls It Off.

There was a party atmosphere as the audience enjoyed picnics before the play started and thankfully it was a beautiful summer’s evening and quite the contrast to the previous week when the cast stoically continued to perform in the rain.

We are all welcomed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the school by the Headmistress (Suzanne Person) accompanied by her small dog Felicia – a nice touch.

It’s 1927 and Daisy Meredith is the first elementary pupil to win a scholarship to attended the prestigious Grangewood school for girls.

Georgie Gale gives a “topping” performance as the wide eyed innocent and honest Daisy, a joy to watch as she fully embraced the character.

She meets her fellow ‘dormie’ Trixie Martin exuberantly played by Rachel Lashford and they become true chums who both revel in playing tricks. They get into many adventures including illicit midnight feasts and hot water bottle fights. All jolly good fun.

Karen Ashby was Claire Beaumont, the head girl who was adored by the younger girls and Aoife Linton played Alice, the steadfast Irish friend of Claire.

But the school is in financial difficulties and in danger of closing. If only the Beaumont treasure could be found all would be resolved. Daisy and Trixie set up a secret society in a quest to find it.

Snobbish, vindictive Sybil (Pippa Higgins) and her friend Monica (Vikki Goldsmith) are absolutely horrid to Daisy making her life at school a total misery and getting her into trouble at every turn.

Keith Phillips was the enigmatic Russian music teacher and Brian Harrington gave a lovely cameo performance as the mysterious gardener, Mr Thompson who had a surprising revelation to disclose at the end.

There is much to enjoy in this production from the splendid hockey match where the pupils are enthusiastically encouraged to “play up and play the game,” to the daring cliff top rescue of Sybil and Monica by Daisy.

Nicola Johnson as Belinda, Isabella Goldsmith as Diana and Lisa Mounteer-Watson as the eccentric French teacher who also played Winnie gave strong performances.

Adults playing young children can be fraught with difficulties creating stereotypes, but director Lisa Harrington had successfully captured the period and genre with her talented cast. Apparently, there were many rehearsals held on zoom because of the restrictions and of course there was a happy triumphant ending. Jubilate!

 

ROBIN STRAPP

Cast

(in order of appearance)

Headmistress/Miss Gibson – Suzanne Pearson

Daisy Meredith – Georgie Gale

Mother/Miss Granville/Dora Johnstone – Justine Fry

Sybil Burlington – Pippa Higgins

Belinda Mathieson – Nicola Johnson

Clare Beaumont – Karen Ashby

Alice Fitzpatrick – Aoife Lintin

Trixie Martin – Rachel Lashford

Monica Smithers – Vikki Goldsmith

Mr Scoblowski – Keith Phillips

Mr Thompson – Brian Harrington

Mademoiselle/Winnie Irving – Lisa Mounteer-Watson

Diana Dobson-Smythe – Isabella Goldsmith

Felicia – Herself

Crew

Director – Lisa Harrington

Stage Manager – David Tute

Assistant Stage Manager – Stephen Bennett

Light/Sound – John Cordery, Crispin Bishop

Costume – Janet Bennett, Lisa Harrington

Props – Stephen Bennett, Lisa Harrington

Prompt – Neil Dewdney

“Daisy pulls it off” is a jolly romp in the style of the old Angela Brazil books for girls, set in a boarding school in the 1920/30s.

Though scorned by some of the girls because of her humble roots, Daisy Meredith sets out with her best friend to find the school treasure. After many trials and tribulations, all comes good.

This is an outdoor performance in the beautiful grounds of Shaw House. Dates are June 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, and 26th.

Gates open 6pm for performance at 7.30. Bring a picnic.

Spiffing show at Shaw House

There is much to enjoy in this production

New Era Players: Daisy Pulls it Off. In the grounds of Shaw House from Thursday June 17 to Saturday 19 and 24 - 26

Shaw House provided the perfect backdrop to New Era’s production of Denise Duggan’s jolly ripping yarn Daisy Pulls It Off.

There was a party atmosphere as the audience enjoyed picnics before the play started and thankfully it was a beautiful summer’s evening and quite the contrast to the previous week when the cast stoically continued to perform in the rain.

We are all welcomed to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the school by the Headmistress (Suzanne Person) accompanied by her small dog Felicia – a nice touch.

It’s 1927 and Daisy Meredith is the first elementary pupil to win a scholarship to attended the prestigious Grangewood school for girls.

Georgie Gale gives a “topping” performance as the wide eyed innocent and honest Daisy, a joy to watch as she fully embraced the character.

She meets her fellow ‘dormie’ Trixie Martin exuberantly played by Rachel Lashford and they become true chums who both revel in playing tricks. They get into many adventures including illicit midnight feasts and hot water bottle fights. All jolly good fun.

Karen Ashby was Claire Beaumont, the head girl who was adored by the younger girls and Aoife Linton played Alice, the steadfast Irish friend of Claire.

But the school is in financial difficulties and in danger of closing. If only the Beaumont treasure could be found all would be resolved. Daisy and Trixie set up a secret society in a quest to find it.

Snobbish, vindictive Sybil (Pippa Higgins) and her friend Monica (Vikki Goldsmith) are absolutely horrid to Daisy making her life at school a total misery and getting her into trouble at every turn.

Keith Phillips was the enigmatic Russian music teacher and Brian Harrington gave a lovely cameo performance as the mysterious gardener, Mr Thompson who had a surprising revelation to disclose at the end.

There is much to enjoy in this production from the splendid hockey match where the pupils are enthusiastically encouraged to “play up and play the game,” to the daring cliff top rescue of Sybil and Monica by Daisy.

Nicola Johnson as Belinda, Isabella Goldsmith as Diana and Lisa Mounteer-Watson as the eccentric French teacher who also played Winnie gave strong performances.

Adults playing young children can be fraught with difficulties creating stereotypes, but director Lisa Harrington had successfully captured the period and genre with her talented cast. Apparently, there were many rehearsals held on zoom because of the restrictions and of course there was a happy triumphant ending. Jubilate!

 

ROBIN STRAPP

Cast

(in order of appearance)

Headmistress/Miss Gibson – Suzanne Pearson

Daisy Meredith – Georgie Gale

Mother/Miss Granville/Dora Johnstone – Justine Fry

Sybil Burlington – Pippa Higgins

Belinda Mathieson – Nicola Johnson

Clare Beaumont – Karen Ashby

Alice Fitzpatrick – Aoife Lintin

Trixie Martin – Rachel Lashford

Monica Smithers – Vikki Goldsmith

Mr Scoblowski – Keith Phillips

Mr Thompson – Brian Harrington

Mademoiselle/Winnie Irving – Lisa Mounteer-Watson

Diana Dobson-Smythe – Isabella Goldsmith

Felicia – Herself

Crew

Director – Lisa Harrington

Stage Manager – David Tute

Assistant Stage Manager – Stephen Bennett

Light/Sound – John Cordery, Crispin Bishop

Costume – Janet Bennett, Lisa Harrington

Props – Stephen Bennett, Lisa Harrington

Prompt – Neil Dewdney

“Daisy pulls it off” is a jolly romp in the style of the old Angela Brazil books for girls, set in a boarding school in the 1920/30s.

Though scorned by some of the girls because of her humble roots, Daisy Meredith sets out with her best friend to find the school treasure. After many trials and tribulations, all comes good.

This is an outdoor performance in the beautiful grounds of Shaw House. Dates are June 17th, 18th, 19th, 24th, 25th, and 26th.

Gates open 6pm for performance at 7.30. Bring a picnic.

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