Swallows & Amazons

Swallows & Amazons

by Helen Edmundson and Neil Hannon

This year's Rosslyn Academy High School Play was the rollicking fun children's story of Swallows & Amazons. The musical play is based on the novel of the same name first published by Arthur Ransome in 1930. The story was adapted to the theatre by the Royal National Theatre and debuted at the Bristol Old Vic in December 2010. Rosslyn Academy is the first high school to stage the musical play. 

The story is of the four Walker children (John, Susan, Titty and Roger) and their imaginary outdoor adventures in the English Lake District during their summer holidays in 1929. Together they sail a borrowed dingy to camp on a nearby island where they meet the precocious Blackett girls (Nancy and Peggy). The children become the Swallows and Amazons and swear loyalty against the Blackett's uncle James Turner, who they call "Captain Flint".

Their imaginary adventures escalate as the children encounter the real terrors of storms and a mysterious crime.

The Swallow's camp taken by the fierce Amazons

Poor Roger fleeing the swooping cormorants 

Captain Flint warning John Walker

Titty all alone on Wildcat Island

Susan, Roger and Titty calling for John

The great battle of Houseboat Bay

The cast and crew

As parents we are thrilled over the opportunities that Tristan and Emma are having in staging theatrical productions at Rosslyn. We are so grateful for the dedication of Steven Slaughter and Audrey Statler to work with the high school students on such ambitious projects. 

Director, Steven Slaughter welcoming guests to the Friday night show.

Mrs. Audrey Statler, musical director, with Ezra, 

Emma, Tristan, Emerson, and Abby.