The girl’s boarding school world, as depicted in the novels of Angela Brazil and Enid Blyton, is evoked but also well and truly spoofed in this play.
Set in 1927 it chronicles the adventures of Daisy, newly arrived at Grangewood School, a scholarship girl from an elementary school, and her battle with prejudice and dirty tricks played upon her by an over-privileged, snobbish classmate.
All the classic elements from such novels – hidden treasure, midnight feasts and mysterious strangers – are there. The evening is a bit of a hoot with its exaggerated characterisations and the “gels” vernacular dialogue.
The excellent Sophie Lane imbues Daisy with an honesty and decency that is countered by the spitefulness of the snobbish Sybil and the toadying Monica – an odious pair made flesh by Anna Quick and Phoebe Williams-Hine.
Their classmates provide much of the evening’s fun with cartoon-like depiction of hero worship, girlish crushes and gung-ho enthusiasm. Particularly impressive is Naomi Horsfall as Madcap Trixie Martin whose movements and comic timing has echoes of a youthful Joyce Grenfell.
However the otherwise well staged production has problems at times with audibility, especially in the first act. Greater projection is needed when actors talk across or upstage.
Three stars
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