Students hook into pirate play

By Gabriel Garcia

May 17, 2024

Getting ready: Cobram Anglican Grammar School Year 10 cast members Olivia Thompson as Theodora Thud and Owen Woolley as Mr Clunky Bones. Photo by Gabriel Garcia

It’s not everyday that you get to dress up as a pirate for class.

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But for Cobram Anglican Grammar School students who are involved in the Pirates Theodora Thud and the Quest for Weird Beard school production, this is their reality.

The play tells the story of Theodora Thud’s quest to escape a sinkhole and real-life pirates, loosely inspired by Alice in Wonderland.

CAGS teacher Rhiannon Dixon is leading the production, which involves 12 students said the cast of characters was varied.

“We have a unique range of characters,” she said.

“We have some very vibrant, colourful characters, and people playing actual creatures. So we have a parrot, and a vulture ... And we have some very evil sort of characters that are skeletons.”

Year 10 student Olivia Thompson plays Theodora, and said she got involved in the production due to a lifelong love of performing.

“Theodora is the main protagonist in this story,” Olivia said.

Though it all seems like fun and games, participating in the play is not just an after-school elective, but a part of their academic curriculum, with cast members having to develop their characters.

“After the production, they will be assessing and reflecting on how they develop the characters and what they learned through the process,” Ms Dixon said.

As for anyone thinking about attending, Ms Dixon said they should not hesitate.

“There's entertainment for young and old and it's just a great night of fun and beautiful sets,” she said.