Bonnie Prince Charlie... newspaper links...

Links to newspaper coverage on "Bonnie Prince Charlie" for the Fringe Festival

OTAGO DAILY TIMES...

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/250402/speed-your-bonny-boat-these

 

STAR NEWSPAPER...

 

Dunedin pupils take up arms on the stage

By BRENDA HARWOOD 

 

   DUNEDIN high school pupils are doing battle this week, taking the role of Redcoats and Jacobites in the show Bonnie Prince Charlie for the Dunedin Fringe Festival.    A narrated dramatisation of the events around the 1745 rebellion of the Scottish Highlanders (known as Jacobites) against British rule, led by Charles Edward Stuart, Bonnie Prince Charlie involves pupils from John McGlashan College, Otago Boys’ High School and Otago Girls’ High School, part of a 55­strong cast which includes a contingent of 25 performers from Hamilton.    Bonnie Prince Charlie is being staged at Otago Boys’ High School Auditorium tonight and Saturday, at 7pm.    The show, which was devised by a group of Hamilton Celtic enthu­siasts led by producer David McLachlan, has been performed in the North Island.    Filled with action, music, sword fights and Highland dancing, Bonnie Prince Charlie aimed to bring a tragic and terrible episode in Scottish and English history to life, Mr McLach­lan said.    This production of Bonnie Prince Charlie has been co­directed by Cecilia Mooney in Hamilton and John McGlashan College drama teacher Kimberley Fridd, who have spent many hours Skyping and exchanging frantic emails.    ‘‘It has been a very interesting process working with the Hamilton team — it’s exciting to have our students involved,’’ Ms Fridd said.    ‘‘It’s a great opportunity for our keen drama students to get some stage time,’’ she said.    With a close relationship between the drama groups at the various schools, it was relatively simple to arrange the teams of young actors for the show.    To add to the fun, John McGlashan boys play the part of English Redcoats and Otago Boys’ High School boys play the Jacobites. ‘‘The boys are all about the battle scenes, so we’ve added that little bit of rivalry for fun,’’ she said. Dunedin Town Cryer Gregor Campbell narrates. A choir with soloists sings Celtic songs, and young people play bag­pipes and the fiddle. Tickets cost $10 and $5 and are available at the door.

Taking aim . . . John McGlashan College pupils (back, from left) Michael Glendining, James Mustapic, Tyler Baker (who also plays Bonnie Prince Charlie), George Dickson, James Burchell ( front from left), Quinn Campbell, Joe Corbett and Alfie Richardson prepare for their roles as Redcoats (English soldiers) in the dramatic reenactment of Scottish history Bonnie Prince Charlie this week during the Dunedin Fringe Festival. PHOTO: BRENDA HARWOOD