Excitingly, the performance opened with Pilgrims’ very own adaptation of ‘The Seikilos Epitaph’, which is possibly the oldest known music manuscript, used as a pedestal for years by a lady who had no idea what the inscriptions were! This haunting melody urges the listeners: ‘While you live, shine’, and the boys sang in the original Greek language.

The show incorporated four sketches from ‘Greeks on Stage’ by Geraldine McCaughrean. We were saddened by the story of Pandora, who unwittingly unleashed some terrible spirits into the world: Pandora and her husband Epimetheus were played with great energy by Felix M and Teddy W. We were cautioned by the vanity of Narcissus, played with aplomb by Oliver E, and the unrequited love of Echo, a very sympathetic Henry S. Later, a charismatic Daedalus (Finn M) amazed us with his inventions, and his foolhardy son Icarus (Darcy C) came to a watery end as he didn’t follow his dad’s advice! Finally, a terrifying Minos (Teddy J) had his evil plan thwarted by brave Theseus (Tristan G). All the boys had solo lines in at least one of the plays, and delivered them with confidence and expression. The evening finished with a performance of ‘Sto Mi E Milo’, a Macedonian folksong, sang in the original language, of course! All the pieces were supported by instrumentalists from the year group. Very well done, boys: with such dramatic and musical talent, I am excited for what the next few years hold for productions at Pilgrims!

Mrs Rowena Duncan
English and Drama Teacher