Langley Park School for Girls has recently put on an adaptation of the fairytale 'The Goose Girl' by the Grimm Brothers. John Leary, Head of Drama at the school, both adapted and directed the play, his style influenced by Kneehigh Theatre Company. The school did three showings of the play, on 27th, 28th and 29th November.

23 actors, 3 technicians, 2 managers, prop designers, a Ukulele band, singing, dancing, story-telling, puppetry, shadow art, and a talking horse came together to make this production an elaborate and engaging spectacle.

The story is of a princess named Jorinda, who, accompanied by her crafty maid Elsa and her talking horse Falada, is forced by her mother to journey across the land to the palace of her future husband, Prince Ferdinand. Along the way she comes across trouble and woe, as well as encountering a drunkard baby, Pyramus and Thisbe from Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream', and an unlikely friend in the form of Conrad, the servant of her husband-to-be. 

The play is cleverly rooted in its real-life location, with places such as 'Beckenhamia', and 'Croydonia' causing mirth amongst the audience. Three Professors comment on the action throughout, informing the audience of the many references in the play, as well as getting increasingly frustrated with the Storyteller who cannot help but get involved in the tale, when she is meant to be an observer. 

The crazy and chaotic story makes for a thoroughly entertaining production, as does the audience interaction; offered cheese and biscuits one minute, and having leeks and rubber gloves thrown in their faces the next, the audience is welcomed into the topsy-turvy world of 'The Goose Girl' with 'open hooves' (as Falada said).

The play was only a result of the dedication, creativity and enthusiasm of both students and teachers at Langley Park School for Girls. Luka Shaxson, who played Conrad, said 'I absolutely loved being involved with the Goose Girl. It was an amazing experience, and even though it took a lot of hard work and many weekends rehearsal, it was definately worth it. It helped me grow as a person, giving me the confidence to talk to people in the other years and sing in front of an audience, as having a hilarious hoot.'

Congratulations to everyone involved with 'The Goose Girl' for putting on such a wonderful show!

 

Ella Shaxson, Newstead Wood School