NRHS to host semifinals Saturday
Published in the March 8, 2018 edition
NORTH READING — Fresh off their preliminary round victory, the Masquers will host the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s Dramafest semi-final round at North Reading High School on Saturday, March 10.
The semi-final round will feature the Masquers’ adaptation of Richard Bean’s “One Man Two Guvnors,” as well as the productions of five other schools.
Tickets are $10 and include entry to all six shows all day long. Tickets are available at the door. All seats are general seating.
Opening ceremonies start promptly at 9 a.m. and no one is allowed admittance once the doors are closed.
MASQUERS cast and crew members are preparing to host the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s Dramafest semi-final round at NRHS, featuring their award-winning performance of Richard Bean’s “One Man Two Guvnors,” as well as the productions of five other schools on Saturday, March 10. (Allison Kane Photo)
Show times are 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. Each show lasts approximately 40 minutes and audience members can leave the auditorium during set tear down and set-up, which takes approximately 15 minutes between each show, but they must return to their seats prior to the start of the next show before the doors close again. The Masquers will be the first performance of the day.
Follow Masquers on Twitter at @nrhsmasquers or, for more specific details, check out the Masquers’ website at Masquers.weebly.com.
Preliminary round winners
This past weekend, on March 3, Masquers competed in the first round of the state-wide competition held by the Massachusetts Educational Theater Guild’s Dramafest. The students, along with 106 others schools across the state, performed 40-minute shows in front of packed houses and judges.
At Chelmsford High School, North Reading Masquers performed Richard Bean’s “One Man, Two Guvnors,” an adaptation of the Carlo Goldoni’s 1641 production of “Servant of Two Masters.” Set in the Brighton, England of 1963, One Man follows the plight of Francis Henshall (Sam Giunta, sophomore) as he tries to juggle working for two people, Rosco Crabbe (Maddy Alter, senior) and Stanley Stubbers (Sam Barrette, senior).
A fresh take on Goldoni’s classic farce, this production incorporates pantomime, improvisation and elements of “lazzi,” which are stock comedic routines associated with Commedia dell’Arte (short for commedia dell’arte all’improviso, which means comedy through the craft of improvisation). In this style, the stock characters or archetypes improvise dialogue and action around traditional plot lines or schema.
“This is not a particularly highbrow brand of comedy, full of silly alliteration, some naughty language and yes, poop jokes. The play is a tour-de-comic-force for the actor playing Francis Henshall (Sam Giunta, sophomore) who won best featured actor for his role, with one of the judges stating he is one of the finest comedic actors she has ever seen,” commented NRHS Theatre Arts Director Allison Kane.
Individual and crew awards
In addition to winning the preliminary round, Masquers took home numerous awards. These included Best Featured Actor to Owen DeCleene (senior) for his role as Alfie; Best Supporting Actress to Christina Lasdin (junior) for her surprise role; Best Student Director to Michelle Shang (senior); Best Sound Effects to Brandon DeCleene (sophomore); Best Set Design to Maggie O’Donnell (senior), Riley Brunner (senior), Gillian Audier (senior) and Bridget Grew (sophomore); as well as the coveted Stage Manager’s Award. This award, for technical rehearsals, running of the show, and overall production, went to Maggie O’Donnell (senior).
The cast is rounded out by Alan Dangle, played by Mateo Flores (sophomore), Pauline Clench, played by Seren Ventullo (senior), Lloyd the master chef, played by Billy Shaw (junior) and Gareth the dutiful waiter played by Stewart Garniss (sophomore).
Lighting was designed and run by Max Barrette (sophomore), properties were managed by Ben Giunta (sophomore) and Alison Rabideau (freshman). Costumes were hand sewn by Elli DeCleene (sophomore) and Meg Regan (freshman).
The tech crew is rounded out by junior Avery Desrosiers, sophomores Tyler Bellavance, Sean Dorosh, Maddie Koury and Mia Tidd, and freshmen Brenna Barry, Meg Carey, Anna Casino, Erin Davis, Preston Lydotes and Rachel Schladenhauffen.
“Is ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ good for the whole family? There is a bit of blue humor in this show, but nothing goes past a PG-13 rating, and most of the jokes would go over youngsters’ heads,” Kane believes.
“There is some adult language, situations and themes – there is a four-letter word or two –but the objectionable content is pretty mild, and couched in comedy. A lot of the intricate mistaken-identity comedy would be lost on very young kids, but ‘tweens and older would love the broad humor. Come prepared to laugh,” Kane added.
