The Trials

The Trials, based on The Crucible by Arthur Miller and preformed by Hillcrest High school.

Hillcrest High School presents a 2009 year 13 drama production of The Trials, based on The Crucible by Arthur Miller. This production is based on the actual events that, in 1692, led to the Salem Witch Trials, a series of hearings before local magistrates to prosecute over 150 people accused of witchcraft in colonial Massachusetts between February 1692 and May 1693. In 1692 a witch-hunting fury swept many of the small, isolated communities in the New World, with Salem in Massachusetts being the most intensely affected. The Trials show how the nightmare gathered force until innocent and once respected citizens were tried and hanged for crimes they had not committed. Although based very closely on historical records, it has many lessons for our own time.

Shiro Binks the Director of The Trials thinks that The Trials is a meaty play for the students to perform. She is looking forward to the joys of acting in traverse, where the audience is on two sides of the stage. She is very excited to be working with this bunch of students. She says that The Trials “should be good” and that she gives the production a “quadruple thumbs up”.
Briana Christey who plays Elizabeth in The Trials thinks that the audience will be drawn to her character for her good morals. She believes that The Trials will be a highly memorable play. She says that The Trials was “not made to entertain”, meaning that it’s “not a comedy” She believes that we can learn from plays such as The Trials how to prevent history from repeating, and how it came about in the first place.

Samara Roberts-Thompson who plays Mary Warren thinks that her character is easily manipulated and because of that is scared most of the time. She tries to do what is right, but gets scared into “capitulating”. She says that it’s really cool because she gets “to spend the whole play crying”. She believes that The Trials shows what happens when people point the finger at others and cause mass hysteria among the people.

Nisha Erin Appanna who plays Betty thinks her character is a” young silly little girl”, who likes to whine a lot. “She likes being the centre of attention.” She likes how the play conflicts and differs to our society and how it shows what it was like back then.

Mhairi Hayworth who plays Abigail believes that her character has 3 sides to her, and that she shows a different face to different people. She has the ability to change from one face to another quickly. Her faces are a façade to her true nature. Her three sides are evil, innocent and flirtatious. She thinks that The Trials is a really, really cool play, which will send chills down the audiences spines. She also states that “Mrs Binks is the greatest director ever.”

The performances start on Tuesday the 18th of August and the last night is on Friday the 21st of August, and are being held in the auditorium. Tickets cost $5 for students and $8 for adults and are available from the school office. Door sales are also available, but not guaranteed. Get in quick for a wonderful time.

Signs in the dark..

Thud! a Discworld novel by Terry Pratchett.

The Dwarf bled alone in the mud and darkness....

There once was a time when Sam was one of only three policeman in anka-morpork. He was for the most part drunk, greasy, single, happy and as free as a bird. Sadly not any more. Sam Vimes is the current Duke of Anka-Morpork and police chief of the same he has a wife, a butler and worst of all responsibility. Though he is ashamed to admit it, he is loving it.

These perks do not come without problems to solve. The Dwarfs are getting angry and secretive, the Trolls are wearing more lichen and carrying bigger clubs, there is a government inspector loose in his watch, he is expected to hire a Vampire of all things and Koom valley day, the historic start of dwarf-troll hatred, is looming along with a civil war. He must do something!

But every night without fail at 6:00 Sam Vimes must read "Where's my cow?" to his little son.

There are some things you have to do.

Enviromental care helpbook list.

You can save the planet by Rich Hough.

Wow! This really is a day in the life of your carbon footprint. This book takes an environmental journey through your day. At 7:30 you have breakfast – did you know that 22 glasses of water are used in the processing of 1 glass of Brazilian orange juice? At 4:30 you do your homework – did you know that each year, every person in the UK throws away an estimated 2 trees worth of paper and card? This book is very easy to read and at the end of each chapter it contains useful advice as to how you can live a more sustainable and environmentally friendly life. (Includes a six month diary checklist of what you can do to save the planet!)

Paper or plastic by Daniel Imhoff.

Packaging is a huge environmental problem which needs to be addressed. This book focuses on harmful/wasteful packaging which has reached epic proportions. Includes some packaging tips on what you can do: (pretty much just don’t buy products with heaps of packaging), however, it is relevant and thoroughly convincing that greater action must be taken. Jam-packed (Ha!) with statistics and images that make you wince with disgust. If you want to see how pathetic packaging really gets check out the box on page 34… sad.

Sustainable development by Clive Gifford.

At first glance you may think this is just another book which you may only open for a school project. You may actually be right. It does, however, take a serious and somewhat depressing look at the situation of the Earth. Pages 48 and 49 tell you what you can do. It will certainly show you the reasons why environmental change is necessary.

Power by Kate Ravilious.

Easy to read. Focuses on resources and the environment. Designed to make the reader think by its slightly corny “you decide” activities: “would you consider alternative methods of transport when you go on holiday?” – written for young people but seriously – what kid is allowed to decide the type of transport for their parent anyway. Another says: “would you buy a banana that had been grown in the Israeli dessert?” I am not sure if they are asking the right questions, but at the back it does provide books and websites to go to for further information, so you may have more luck there…

1001 easy ways for Earth-wise living by Reader Digest writers.

Hmmmmmmn. Chapter titles include “the natural home”, “around the home”, “the healthy body”, “feeling well”, “Earth-wise gardening” and “out and about”. I mean come on! We are greenies, not housewives who go to Yoga and make “caramelized red onion relish” whilst reading “ten tips for better digestion” (page 200). However, you may find sanity in this book under efficient living, and also “out and about”, which takes a look at power and travel environment tips. Just watch out not to get sucked into “understanding your skin” and “Holistic Health”! (Blurgk!)

Save the Earth by Jonathon Porrit.

First published in 1991, this book may have slightly passed its best by date, however, it does contain some detailed and informative content and seems like it was ahead of its time. Don’t miss the foreword by HRH the Prince of Wales or (more importantly) the introduction by Peter Garret! This book would be very interesting to read if you have enough time on your hands. It has many contributions from a wide variety of well known people and covers in depth a large variety of environmental topics.

Good (magazine).

This magazine does have LOTS of advice. The target audience seems to be for more of an older audience than high school students, though. Some of it will bore you to tears – NO, I am NOT thinking about buying a heat pump! Your parents are likely to benefit from this more than you, but it does provide some valuable content, just have a flick through.

Window by Jennie Baker.

A sophisticated picture book which illustrates the way a community environment can change so easily and drastically over a few years. Wonderful illustrations and a clear message that does not require words.

Earth Matters by David de Rothschild.

It is not just the content of this book that is environmentally friendly - the paper used to make it is sourced from responsibly managed forests, their paper mill recycles 91% of the water required during manufacture. Their printer has reduced its carbon footprint by 52% since 1994 (very clever printer), and generates 100% of its own electricity. Their ink is vegetable ink, not petroleum products and there is not dust jacket (to save paper and energy). Yes, they really have gone the whole way, and guess what! - it's actually a really good book too. Has pretty much everything you need to know about the environment, is up to date and also filled with wonderful photography.

The acidly accurate textbook tale.

"The Social Significance of Sport: An Introduction to the Sociology of Sport" by Barry D. McPherson, James E. Curtis and John W. Loy.

You are about to embark on a reading journey that is both stimulating and frustrating.

If one were to encounter this statement as the opening sentence of a book, it could realistically be assumed that the subject of said book would be an enthralling issue such as flower arranging, stamp collecting or African weaving.

The authors of this book seem to have an incredibly optimistic view of the limits of human tolerance, because, in most cases, a reasonably normal human being would be at least slightly reluctant to read a book that has the potential to cause frustration.

The preface states that the book, or more specifically textbook, would be useful for those studying physical education, sociology, sport studies and kinesiology.

I will here admit that I have not read the entire book, for I am a reasonably normal human being and have little patience for frustration, especially my own. However, judging by my few glances at the contents page and chapters excitingly titled 'Sport, Socialisation and the Family', 'Social Class, Socioeconomic Status, and Sport', 'Sport, Collective Behaviour, and Social Movements' and other similarly captivating names, I can fairly assume that the book would indeed be useful for those studying the aforementioned disciplines - but only those.
Otherwise, the book would most likely bore a reader to tears. That would almost be preferable, in most circumstances, because crying would render the reader unable to see the words.

To be fair, however, if one reads this book, one can expect to learn interesting new phrases such as BIRG Phenomenon, frustration-aggression hypothesis and melting pot theory.

Successfully using these in everyday situations, though, could prove difficult ...

Good luck with this; and good luck reading the book, because you'll need it.

Jatta

Jatta is a Princess.

She lives in a land of undeath, werewolves and the demi-godlike sorcerers.

She is cursed to be a werewolf, she must save her kingdom and she must marry the dorkish and half mad Prince Riz.

She is beset on all sides and struggling even with the illusionist's orb and help from Sorcerer Redd.

Its Good!!

One at a time.

Reaper man, a discworld novel by Terry Pratchett

What happens when Death goes on holiday?

Windle Poons is 130 and like all good wizards he knows when he will die, it just happens to be tomorrow and he's been looking forward to it for a very long time.

After a bit of a party Windle Poons dies and his spirit leaves his body only to find that there is.... nowhere to go. Being a pragmatic sort of person Mr Poons goes back. He finds that as a dead person he is more alive, more in control and certainly more mobile than he has been in years.

Windle Poons begins to have fun...

A new zombie on the loose isn't the only odd thing happening on the Discworld, clothing is getting up and walking away, furniture is putting down roots and things are starting to float around. The cause of all this, it seems, is an excess of life. You see Death does not kill you, he just takes away your life and without him the life just floats around wondering what to do with itself.

The problem is that Death is having a holiday as a human pending his permanent and enforced retirement. The Auditors of Reality have decided that Death is too slow and nice and are bringing in a new model. So Death gets to find out what it means to be human and he likes it....

There are also strange snow globes appearing in the nooks and crannys of Anka-Morpork......

Classic Terry Pratchett book, not one of his better works in my opinion but as original and good as usual, worth a read anytime.

A balancing act

Making Money, a discworld novel by Terry Pratchett.

The post office is running smoothly on mountains of paperwork. Moist von Lipwig is tipped to become chairman of the merchants guild complete with goldish chain and he has a beautiful chain-smoking golem-hunting girlfriend Adora.

Moist von Lipwig is trapped in chains of goldish.....

When the old crook is offered a post as chairman of the Royal Mint and the Bank, his heart leaps at the chance to escape the boring bureaucracy, stifling security and the chains of goldish. He is warded off by the inbred insane and rich lavish family, the gold loving semi-vampiric Chief Cashier and the giant glowing gurgling glass Glooper lurking in the cellar.

Fearing death or worse Moist sadly declines the offer.

Then Mrs Lavish steps into his life. Current manager and chairman of the bank, a Mk1 feisty old lady with an embarrassing sense of humour and a gleeful pleasure in mild cruelty. As fast as she enters his life; she sadly exits hers. She inflicts a final cruel prod in her will, she leaves 50% of the banks shares to a small dog named Mr Fusspot who already owns one percent.

She then leaves the dog to one Moist Von Lipwig........

This leaves poor old Moist in exactly the same position he was trying to avoid. He is now the owner of, one Royal Mint that runs at a loss, one bank currently in dispute by the insane and rather murderous Lavishes and finally one very rich dog named Mr Fusspot who needs to go for walkies at least once per day.

This is a good yarn with a well put across message as well as being very very funny and insane................ Completely insanee Ha Hah Hah Hahahahahaha!! Ahahahahahahahahahah!!!!

just kidding lol, this book is thoroughly recommended by me.

Selling the Sizzle.

Going Postal, a discworld novel by Terry Pratchett.

Moist Von Lipwig is a face in the crowd, even when he is by himself.

He uses his natural gifts of a unremarkable face, irresistible showmanship and a silver tongue to defraud, trick, pass false cheques and generally relieve fools of their money.

As fools like to keep hold of their various monies, some less than foolish persons have tracked him down, caught him and thrown him into an Ankh-Morpork jail cell for the six weeks he has before he is to be hanged. For six weeks Moist has been chipping away with a spoon at the crumbling mortar around the large stone in the wall to which he is chained. His spoon is now a stub, his mattress is full of mortar and the rock is almost free. One last tug and it is free and behind it he finds.......

.......... Another spoon, another rock and some suspiciously new mortar. He whimpers. The guards walk and see that the rock is free, one of them grumbles and hands the other some money.

After a short explanation of why he was led to believe he could win his freedom involving "occupational therapy", "keeps you from moping" and "the greatest gift of all, hope" he is taken to the gallows and hung. CRACK! The lights go out.

"Mr Lipwig, Have you ever heard of Angels?"

After being hung to within an inch of his life Moist von Lipwig is offered a choice, be hung for real or aid the ailing Ankh-Morpork postal service.

It is a tough decision.

I am a bit of a diehard Terry Pratchett fan but this is one of the prime examples of his work, just real enough to be believable but the situations and people are quite literally out of this world, a lively and likeable contrast to the normal and ploding plot lines of most other books, have fun reading it =)