The last few years have seen several successful OT productions at Tonbridge, but last year was particularly exciting, with five OTs forming their own theatre company - Hog Head - and heading up to the Edinburgh Fringe. Rob Amboule (SH/Sc 2002-07), Alastair Mavor (PH/WH 2002-2007), James Mitchell (WW 2002-07), Tom van der Klugt (Sc 2002-07) and Andy Yarwood (JH 2002-07) received four and five star reviews for their production of Frank McGuinness’ harrowing hostage-drama Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me ran from 3rd-18th before returning to Tonbridge for three final performances in early September.
The company is now planning for the future. We would like Hog Head to be a theatre company for OTs, and also for the local community and particularly for local schools which have strong links with drama at Tonbridge, such as Tonbridge Girls Grammar and Weald of Kent. We are also developing longer-term plans to work with local bodies such as Kent Youth Offending Service. In time Hog Head should also form a valuable link between current Tonbridgians and OTs involved in the professional theatre, and of course, a good way to keep in touch with old friends.
Two projects are planned for 2008. Firstly, six Tonbridgians in the Upper Sixth will take Chris O’Connell’s hard-hitting play Car to the Edinburgh Fringe this August. The play concerns a group of young men who steal a car and then have to face up to the consequences of their actions, touching on many highly topical issues: youth crime, suicide, drug-abuse, restorative justice. Raw and powerful, it will need hard work from all involved, but it will give them a great opportunity to experience the vibrancy of the world’s largest arts festival and see some of the huge variety of shows on offer.
Secondly, Hog Head plans to produce another show in the theatre at Tonbridge during the year. Probably of a somewhat lighter nature than Car, it will involve OTs from a broad range of vintages!
It should be an exciting year for OT drama, but - as with all things - funding is a constant issue. I know that after months of being bombarded by requests to buy another brick for the Sports Centre some OTs may not take kindly to the word ‘funding’, but nevertheless, particularly as Hog Head develops its work with the local community, it will need just that. Most of our projects are also ones where quite small amounts of money can make quite a big difference. If you are interested in supporting us, please do contact us.
We would also love to hear from any OTs who would like to be involved more practically. All of us in Hog Head only left recently, so we don’t have many connections with people who left some time ago. If you’d like to be involved, please get in touch. We are working on a website and e-newsletter so that we can keep you informed more easily.
Lastly, we have a fundraising event, WildBoar Jazz Café with ‘Three’s Company’ on 17th March at 7.30pm in Big School. Featuring current Tonbridgians, Pete Aisher (FH) on piano, Sean Hopkins (HS) on bass and Ben Harris (Sc) on drums, Three’s Company have given numerous performances in concerts and at private functions. Ranging from jazz waltz to hard-and-fast bebop, the trio’s repertoire includes many standards, alongside some little-known gems which have been rediscovered and revamped.
Tickets at £10 can be booked on 01732 304241 or boxoffice@tonbridge-school.org. Seating is around tables of 8. Drinks and eats may be purchased at the bar.
Tom van der Klugt
thomas.van-der-klugt@ccc.ox.ac.uk
07766 622429