Adieu!!

Well, that's it.....The fat lady has sung, and we're out of there! It was the most scrummy, spiffing and topping experience to share the past 3 months with all of you. Thank you for the absolutely top hole reception you gave me on Saturday night. The gifts were lovely. I thought I might leave this last blogging with the poem I wrote and recited for you on Saturday. So here goes.....


“Heroes - Meditations of a Director”
by Paul Cullen

I have written these few words
With every good intention
And I have tried my very best
To give you all a mention.

We started rehearsals for this play
In the balmy nights of September
And we’ve ended up here in the Waterloo Inn
On the first day of December.

The early part of rehearsals
Were a lot of fun
Jigsaws, feasts and sing a longs
And the quiz that the teachers won!

To put on the best show that we could
That was our ultimate aim
So we had a healthy attitude
To play up and play the game!

We certainly gave it our best shot
We really gave it a bash
But luckily, unlike Clare Broderick
None of us broke out in a rash!

Charles took on the producers role
And showed such responsibility
Except when he threw the coke at Alan
And nearly put him in Casualty!

For a show to be a success
You need a fantastic crew
So to Noeleen, Craig and Roger
Many thanks for all that you do.

Noeleen of course stage managed
A job that was a big demand
And I don’t think we’d have got those boxes moved
If it wasn’t for her guiding hand.

To Jean who managed all those props
The job you did was great
And also I must mention Sharon
Who’s make up was really first rate!

Carol played Grangewoods headmistress
Miss Gibson was firm but fair
But Carol is glad the show is over
Cos at last she can cut her hair!

Miss Granville loves her country
Thinks England is the best in the world
She adores patriotic poetry
And flies the Union Jack unfurled.

Sarah Jane took over Mademoiselle
And of course it saved the show
Her French accent was “Fantastique”
We’ll see her next on Allo, Allo!

Alan of course was Mr Scoblowski
Complete with an exaggerated limp
I suppose that’s what happens
When you become Mr Thompsons gimp!

As they crept around the corridors
Using just a torch for light
They obviously enjoyed each others company
All through the night.

But now that Mr T is back with his wife
Will the illicit affair come to an end
Or will he still have visitations
With his Bolshevick friend.

Caroline played Belinda Mathieson
A girl too perfect to be true
She was proud of Daisy
And Caroline “we’re proud of you”!

The other Caroline joined the group quite late
Not an easy thing to do,
But she worked hard and got involved
And in the end came through.

Poor Jane got confused at rehearsals
Reading in so many parts always toing and froing
But now that she has her eyesight done
She’ll know where she is going!

Louise is the baby of the gang,
Who could hurt this girl of just sixteen
But the black eye she got from Sybil
Was the biggest I’ve ever seen!

And Alice Fitzpatrick from Ireland
Her accent was so cute
You’d think butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth
Except when she’s playing the flute!

But be very careful when she’s around
She’s a dark one to say the least
Because if you happen to be a second year
You might end up being a feast!

Unless of course she’s in the bath
With all the other prees
Especially when Clare went down in the mud
And needed help to wash her knees!

Colette joining us this year
All the way from the US of A
And when she had to take over from Denise
She certainly saved the day!

She took on the role of Monica
And gave it her best try
It’s nice to know that Grangewood School
Has it’s very own CSI

Especially with all those mysteries
That filled us all with fear
Like where did Charles find all those young women
And why did they disappear?

Clare Beaumont was a topping head girl.
Never too proud or cocky
But you know she’d sell her granny
Just to win a game of hockey.

Dora doesn’t have a pencil sharpener
With boys she likes to chat
She even bites her nails
Dora Johnston, Don’t Do That!

Joan played Sybil Burlington
Beautiful, Spoilt and Rich
In fact you could say
She was a little bit....misunderstood!

Her funny bits were comedic
Her breakdown simply tragical
I must say Joan, in this production
You were by any standards, magical!

We cast Diane as Trixie
And we expected great things
She was always full of energy
No need for Red Bull to give her wings!

Diana was fun and enthusiastic
But could play the prima donna role
She insisted on a doughnut with the middle removed,
Yes, that’s right, she got her hole!

But she’s definitely got a future
The world’s hers for the taking
This young, talented girl
Is surely a star in the making.

And now to our leading lady,
Irene who played the huge part of Daisy
She must have said so many times
Why am I doing this I must be crazy!

But Irene, you did an amazing job!
Playing Daisy was quite tough
But with talent, dedication and commitment
You certainly “Pulled It Off!!”

And Irene as you say goodbye to Grangewood
And take Digby your little frog,
I’m sure that you’re so exhausted
You’ll sleep like the proverbial log!

This has been a fantastic show
It’s really been a ball,
And from the bottom of my heart
I’d like to thank you all!

Finally to all involved in this show
I warmly congratulate
So let’s say farewell to Grangewood
It’s time to graduate!!



That's it..... thank you for joining me on this journey.

Honesta Quam Magna.

Once More Into The Breach, Dear Friends, Once More!

Well dear friends..... just one performance to go..... let's make it the best yet.

Friday night was pretty special, great show, great audience....... I don't want to make your heads too big, but the comments afterwards were frighteningly good; "you should tour that professionally", "I was crying with laughter", "great energy", "brilliant casting", "the leads were amazing", "Trixie just nailed it", "I was so jealous, I would have loved to have been in that play"........ There was more, but I think we've massaged the egos enough for tonight.

So for the last time......... go out there tonight, and make the magic happen!!!

I love you all,

Paul