Dramatists, dancers, fine artists, musicians and an underground campaign by the name of ‘Holier Than Thou’ all took to the stage and the campuses during the annual St Andrew’s College and DSG John Axe Arts Week.
Dramatists, dancers, fine artists, musicians and an underground campaign by the name of ‘Holier Than Thou’ all took to the stage and the campuses during the annual St Andrew’s College and DSG John Axe Arts Week.
The official programme featured some old time favourites such as the Pipe Band concert, both a ‘plugged’ and an ‘unplugged’ music concert (the latter being a tribute to the departing DR Wynne Music School director, Mandy Carver), two dance shows and a smorgasbord of site specific performances by the Grade 11 Drama pupils every night.
The Grade 12 Drama pupils also entertained, shocked and delighted the audience with their evening of monologues. The English Department and Chamber Choir created a moving performance of poetry and song entitled Man’s Blind Indifference around the theme of World War 1.
It was followed by Shift, a collaborative experiment between dance, art, drama and music. Even though the audience participation scared some of the more inhibited audience members, this event culminated in a truly unique experience of the richness of artistic expression in an unscripted environment.
The official programme climaxed in an inspiring and spirited Interhouse Music competition at St Andrew’s College where Houses competed in three genres toward the grand title. This event has grown into a showcase of the diversity and depth of the musical talents of boys who often don’t do subject music.
However, it was the unofficial happenings that truly excited the lovers of the arts. Buskers and choirs appeared in different venues around the school during every break, and flash mobs wreaked havoc in the dining halls.
Not to mention the mysterious reclaiming of space at the two schools by the signs that appeared everywhere during the early hours of Tuesday morning. And so ended a week of art, by the pupils, for the pupils. A true celebration.
