Join students as they explore what else might have happened during those seven infamous years at the school of magic
Students at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School (LSRCSS) are getting ready for their end-of-year play and are inviting residents to grab their tickets. This year’s play is Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic. The play centres around the experiences of the other students who would have also been at the well-known fictional magical school while the chosen one and his band of brave friends were up to their shenanigans.
“The play is about a group of kids who go off to magic school with a certain other individual who is very well known for his magic abilities at a certain magical school, which we also can’t name because of copyright. Everyone knows this individual with the lightning bolt scar and this particular play shows it from another perspective,” explained Kris Diaz the theatre teacher at LSRCSS.
Record Photos by Katelyn Boulanger
LSRCSS students practising for their end of year play, Puffs
Diaz explained that she chose this play because there was a lot of interest in the school play by students this year and Puffs has many characters but also because this production plays into the student’s strengths.
“I have lots of really great and strong character actors. And so, when you have great character actors, you’ve got to show them off. All the wizards and witches and crazy professors, they’re all there and accounted for and so, it makes for some really fun directing and performing,” she said.
Diaz said to make sure to ready yourself for some fun as this play is most definitely a comedy.
“It’s very comedy-oriented, very slapstick-oriented, lots of hilarity and silliness. The characters are all very wild and kind of all over the place and ridiculous,” she said.
Grade 11 student Ellie Tolpa explained, “The characters are, like, really dramatic, and they’re very funny. They’re really played theatrically, if that makes sense and the play is also really fun. Everything’s played really big, and it’s very whimsical.”
Diaz recommends that if you are a fan of the books with the boy with the scar, you might be interested in seeing this new perspective.
“They will love it, because they’ll love to see the satire of the books, and they’ll have a lot of fun seeing that some of their favourite characters show up,” said Diaz.
The play is going to be about two hours long and covers all seven momentous school years.
Grade 10 student Hayden Hirst said he likes the way it concludes.
“My favourite part is probably the ending when all the loose ends are closed. Some of the characters get their resolve. Some don’t see a happy ending but it shows the whole point of the play and the message that it’s trying to convey,” he said.
Residents should know that there are about 40 students that are directly participating in the play but that doesn’t count the students that are involved in hair styling and makeup, the design students who created the marketing materials for the play, or the construction students who are involved with making the set come together. The whole school really comes together to create this annual bit of fun.
Diaz did say that there are a few considerations that people should make before they grab their tickets.
“We do use flashing lights that’s important to note and we also have a fog machine, so that’s, just something to keep in mind for those that might be sensitive or asthmatic,” said Diaz.
Grade 12 student Ava Dewar feels like many people will enjoy the show.
“It’s geared towards all ages, and it’s really relatable in the sense that the Puffs are not perfect, they’re misfits, they’re not the brightest (and) it’s a really comforting show. I honestly think it’s very uplifting and inspiring,” she said.
The tickets for the play are available this week at the high school. They are $15 for adults, $10 for Comp students and $8 for children 12 and under. The play itself takes place at the school’s John Vadeboncoeur Theatre on April 15, 16, and 17 at 7 p.m.
Diaz encourages residents to come out and support these amazing kids.
“Theatre is one of those wonderful things that, you can watch something on TV, sure, but when you go and explore live theatre, the comradery and the energy of the room is just something you can’t get from watching it on screen. So, come and enjoy live theatre and I mean, these kids work so hard and they’re so strong that it’s going to be an awesome event.
