Whodunit mystery to grace Strathmore High stage
Wendi Tashlikowch
Times Contributor
‘The Clock Struck Twelve’ written by James Reach, is coming to the stage at Strathmore High School, playing nightly at 7 p.m. from November 24 – 27. The tickets can be purchased ahead of time at the school office or at the door for $10. Proceeds from the production are put directly back into the department to pay for the costs of producing. The main stage event is being put on by the Drama 20/30 and Musical Theatre 35A classes. Paula Richardson has been teaching at Strathmore High School since 2001 and is very proud of the intensity and dedication her drama students are putting into this production.
She has a total of 14 students in her Grade 11 and 12 drama classes, and they are all either on stage, or behind the scenes. Drama is an elective course for students at the high school; if they choose to take Musical Theatre 35A as a follow up class they can use these credits towards their University applications. The students had to audition for their parts earlier on in the semester. It has been a wonderful experience for Richardson to watch the students grow/learn and take great risks. There are two students who are double-casted for roles. The cast enjoyed picking out and designing their own costumes. It helped them to be more involved in the development of their characters.
“From beginning to the end it was amazing to watch the students meld together and take on leadership roles to get them to their goal,” explains Richardson.
This is Richardson’s second and third time teaching some of these students. She was lucky enough to produce and work with some of them in Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will?, last year’s main stage show.
“This year’s production is sure to keep you guessing,” said Richardson. The play is a Mystery Farce/ Whodunit genre. “There are lots of fun and crazy characters to keep you interested.”
The Clock Struck Twelve begins on June 25 when the three travelling Star Sisters are stranded in a storm. They seek shelter in the Thomas Mansion, and unfortunately arrive on the eve of a murder that happened there two years ago. Supposedly an innocent man has gone to jail.
Thanks go out to J. Richardson who was instrumental in set design, as well to the Strathmore Theatre Players who donated flats (walls) and their time to set them up.