In early May, First and Second Form (Year 7 and 8) pupils from Oundle School set a new record for the number of pupils on stage at Oundle’s Stahl Theatre with the forty-eight strong cast of Fantastic Mr Fox. Playing rabbits, moles, weasels, badgers, and of course foxes, all gathered together at a celebratory feast marking Fantastic Mr Fox’s heroic outwitting of hated farmers Boggis, Bunce and Bean.
Theatre and performance Director, Naomi Jones commented, “This tremendous ensemble were onstage throughout the performance, brilliantly supporting the story-telling with many enthusiastic choruses of ‘Digga Digga Dig’!”
The story of Mr Fox’s triumph was retold to the audience and the on-looking animals by the charismatic Mr Badger and his wife, expertly portrayed by Ned Freij (12) and Mya Onyett (13). To set the feast-day scene, this energetic performance opened with a dance which involved the whole company, brilliantly choreographed by Lower Sixth Form pupil, Molly May-Keston (16), with live piano accompaniment from music teacher, Sarah Ratchford.
Saul Agar Ward (15) was exceptional as the mischievous Mr Fox alongside his rather more pragmatic and matriarchal Mrs Fox- a role which Abi Slade (12) carried off with aplomb. The villainous farmers were vividly depicted by Penny Hodgson (12), Oliver Bould (13) and Ally Nelson (13).
The set, complete with enormous tree which dramatically fell at the end of act one, was as ingenious as it was aesthetically pleasing. Designed by Paul Laughton and lit by Red Desmond, the set looked wonderful, providing a fitting backdrop for the outstanding costumes and make-up designed by Jo Henderson. The production was directed by Naomi Jones and Molly May-Keston.