A Shakespearean video game, a submarine journey, and a geeky refrigeration expert helped the Garin senior team take out the Nelson/Tasman Senior Theatresports Competition for the first time in 15 years on Tuesday night at the Suter Gallery Theatre. The team of Megan Ritchie, Jade Alborn, Hamish Shelly, Jed Frethey (Yr 13), and John Noble (Yr 12), aka The Sandy Saints, had an excellent rapport from playing and performing together in various forms over the years, and brought their A-game to the show. Their characterisation and story-telling were a step above the other teams, and they will be worthy representatives of the region should they take up the chance in the South Island finals in Christchurch. A strong ‘Song Cue’ scene by the Golden Bay team was not enough in the final round to pip the Garin team, who played out an hilarious scene in their final ‘challenge’ round where Jade portrayed a video game addicted teen having trouble with her eyesight in order to incorporate the challenge. The scene was performed in Shakespearean style verse, and Megan even portrayed a running, jumping video game character to cap an extraordinary theatrical experiment. Earlier, John’s enthusiasm for Fisher and Paykel had created waves of laughter in a Meanwhile scene, and Jed and Hamish had battled problems with their yellow submarine in order to find the ‘Green Fish’ in a Word at a Time blind round game. The seniors went one better than the junior team of Millie Frethey, Jessie Sherlock, Vianne Wessels, and Katie Herd who were awarded second place by the judges in their competition last Tuesday night. The Theatresports group has been lead by Megan Ritchie, deputised by the other Year 13s this year, and thanks also goes to Mr Allan, Mrs Pumphrey and Senora Davies, who have assisted with facilitation over the last couple of years to make this success possible.
