When the students of The Prospect Theatre Company and I sat down to choose a play for performance this year, there was little contest between Durrenmatt’s The Visit and the other contenders on offer. The students were gripped by the power and immediacy of the play’s message, with its themes of morality, justice and the power of wealth. Indeed, these themes took on an eerily immediate relevance during rehearsals, with this recent adaptation of the play by Tony Kushner being relocated to the USA. 

The play’s plot is set in the impoverished town of Guellen (and for our American version, reinvented as ‘Slurry’) which looks to multi-millionaire Claire Zachanassian for financial salvation. When she offers them a million dollars, the townsfolk think their dreams have come true – but her offer comes with a condition attached. They must kill a citizen of the town, named Ill, a popular man standing for mayor. Initially, the townspeople are visibly outraged by the proposition and refuse, but their resolve is tested by the allure of wealth. Will they hold true to their morals or will they end up carrying out her wish?

The students gave a really entertaining and thought provoking performance of the play, exaggerating their characters and situation to really comical effect and one which left the audience chuckling with amusement.  Some pictures above taken by  Oliver Brooker,Performing Arts student give you an insight into their terrific work.

Written by Rebecca Lewis-Verebelyi, Curriculum Manager A Level Drama & Theatre