The Press-Ganged Fool at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

18 Aug 2014

Culford School’s Drama department will be gracing the stage at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer. Following in the footsteps of the school’s production of Olwen Wymark’s play Find me, which went to the Fringe in 2011, the school is now taking an original production, The Press-Ganged Fool. 

The play was written and directed by two Culford teachers, Director of Drama Maria Kane, and Housemistress of Jocelyn House, Jessica Kaye, and was first performed in the school’s theatre in November last year. Following this success, the production is set to take to the stage again at The Paradise in Augustines Theatre from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 August at 4.30pm.

Culford’s unique production of The Press-Ganged Fool is a tale of mistaken identity and girl power on the high seas. Tavern maid Penny (Ciara Morrell) enlists as a less than able seaman under the command of poetry-penning skipper Captain Aye (Katie Hargreaves). Once aboard, she discovers a far from ordinary crew that could put her life in danger. Doom and gloom aside, this pulsating 12+ rated comedy will leave audiences cheering at heroes, hissing at villains and roaring with laughter. The show is a fast paced kaleidoscope of theatrical styles which will appeal to a wide audience, making it perfect for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this August.

Julian Johnson-Munday, Headmaster at Culford School comments “The cast give an entirely original, witty and comical performance, capturing the traits of their characters perfectly. The Press-Ganged Fool will bring a smile to your face long after you step out the theatre.”

A member of the cast, Ciara Morrell (17) commented “I can’t wait to perform at The Fringe this summer. It’ll definitely be a once in a life time opportunity and with such a fantastic production I’m sure the audience will love it. It will also be great to watch other performances and to be part of such an enjoyable event.”

The performance will be held at 4.30pm everyday between Friday 8 August and Sunday 10 August 2014. Tickets are £5.00 per person or £3.00 for concessions and can be purchased directly from the website https://www.edfringe.com/whats-on/theatre/press-ganged-fool or from the box office on 0131 226 0026. Find more information and cast pictures on www.culford.co.uk/edfringe . 

Cast List

Emma Beardmore, Will Chapman, Harry Connor, Issy Davies, Joe Gilkes, Emma Hargreaves, Phoebe Howe, Tash Mead, Clara Morrell, Mariella Reason, Scarlet Simmons, , Tom Stanford, Hugo Von Bussman and ‘The Cat’.

Crew List

Director: Miss M. Kane

Words and Lyrics: Miss M. Kane and Miss J. Kaye

Composers: Miss M. Kane and Tom Stanford

Stage Manager: Sophie Mason

Costume and Makeup Manager: Elle McPherson

Lighting and Sound: Ross McKenzie, Martin Sharples. Mr J. Fox and Mr C. Christopher

Backstage Crew: Alex Waterman
Drama at Culford has always been popular but has grown in popularity especially since the opening of the Studio Theatre in 2006, and the appointment of a dedicated Director of Drama.  Culford offers Drama Scholarships for pupils aged 13+ and 16+ each year, and two of the cast of The Press Ganged-Fool are Drama Scholars and one is a Drama Exhibitioner. For more information on Culford Scholarships please contact the Admissions Office on 01284 385308.