A flurry of publicity in print media, on the radio and online meant this year’s Senior School Play was hotly anticipated. Although the play is over thirty years old, its theme could not be more current, with euthanasia a very topical issue and legislation on assisted suicide having been passed or under discussion in many countries. Presenting these arguments on stage was no easy task for a young cast but they successfully portrayed both the play’s humour and its deep engagement with serious issues. It forced all the audience to confront their own feelings about the subject and think about how they would act in a similar situation. The play was moving, funny, interesting and, in the end, very sad, proving to all our students that ‘serious’ plays can be entertaining. All the cast impressed with the maturity of their performances and their clear diction. In his final performance in school, Senal Wijetunge was cast against type in the lead role, having to suppress his normal hyperactivity to play a quadriplegic. He demonstrated his versatility as an actor with another virtuoso performance. Having brought life, energy and laughter to countless productions over the years, he will be greatly missed next year. Rachel Hayward portrayed his antagonist’s icy rationality and overbearing conviction beautifully, without losing focus on her commitment to her patients, while newcomer Nicole Haddon was scarily convincing as the domineering Sister Anderson and is clearly an actress to watch for the future. Akash Gnanam, meanwhile, was responsible for a lot of the comedy in the play as John and was highly entertaining.

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