11/07/2026
A wonderful review by Ken Chippendale of SURC, of our last production.
Review of “Daisy Pulls it Off”
Congratulations to the Abbey Foregate Drama Group, who transported us to a 1920’s prestigious private girl’s boarding school, as depicted in children’s books of that era. This is the world of “play up and play the game”, “best chums”, “jolly hockey sticks”; of the school song and motto – in this case “How great are noble things” (in Latin, of course).
The heroine, Daisy, is the first scholarship girl to attend the school, i.e. entering through merit and not fee paying. She finds a good and steadfast friend, Trixie, but also the prejudiced Sybil, and her devotee, Monica. They make her life a misery, and resort to lies and subterfuge to have her expelled. Daisy and Trixie however combine their efforts to try and find a rumoured hidden treasure, which would save the school from being closed.
Along the way we join the journey to school by train (Harry Potter style), sit at desks in class, take part in a hockey match, and witness a perilous rescue of the two rotters, who have fallen down a nearby cliff.
All of this is accomplished through our imagination, since there is no scenery, other than a raised dais against a plain backdrop. Throughout there is an ingenious use of the said hockey sticks, which are not just “jolly”, but essential – they are the pistons of the train, the lids of the desks, a drumming sound when required, and ...even, in the hockey match.
The principal players were accomplished – conveying Daisy’s emotional ups and downs, Trixie’s irrepressible good humour, Sybil’s snobbishness, and Monica’s sycophancy; the Headmistress was spot on, determined with not-to-be questioned authority to preserve the highest standards.
Suffice to say that Daisy finds the treasure, scores the winning goal, rescues her detractors (who admit to their wrongdoing), and all-in-all Pulls it Off.
However, the playwright has intended, amidst all the jolly japes and heroic endeavours, to make a statement of principle, which is Daisy’s closing speech – that scholarship girls become the norm,
that the school learn from them, and that all “Public” schools (so-called), become truly open to all.
So, to all concerned, all the 48 people named in the programme, and especially the Director, Nick, and all the cast – Rest on your laurels and receive our applause, your labours are appreciated.
Thank you.
