An amateur recording of a performance by pupils of the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle. Filmed in a small theatre the cast perform the medieval adventure The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew. The date of the performance was 12th May 1995. Single camera position. This play for children was written by Robert Bolt. For some time the Duke and his loyal knights have been fighting dragons, rescuing damsels in distress, and trying to make their dukedom safe for its people. Now they've finally...

An amateur recording of a performance by pupils of the Royal Grammar School in Newcastle. Filmed in a small theatre the cast perform the medieval adventure The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew. The date of the performance was 12th May 1995. Single camera position. This play for children was written by Robert Bolt. For some time the Duke and his loyal knights have been fighting dragons, rescuing damsels in distress, and trying to make their dukedom safe for its people. Now they've finally succeeded: the last dragons in the realm have been killed. The Duke and most of his knights are happy to sit back and enjoy the peace they've made; but Sir Oblong Fitz Oblong believes it's their duty to continue their good work in the desolate wastelands of the North, and their charter requires this decision must be unanimous. The Duke's sidekick comes up with a solution: Have Sir Oblong appointed as a Knight Errant and sent to pacify the nearby Bolligrew Island. Once he's away, the vote can be rerun, and without Sir Oblong the result will be unanimous. Shortly afterwards, Sir Oblong arrives on the island with a list of tasks. They will rebuild the Church and restore justice to the Magistrates' Court and suppress the island's dragon. The island's current ruler, Baron Bolligrew, isn't going to make things easy for Sir Oblong The film begins with a view of the school theatre stage and the audience in their seats waiting for the play to start. The houselights dim and a figure in medieval costume appears on stage and reads from a large book outlining the background to the story. The reader makes a number of appearances in the play. A group of actors appear in front of the stage to begin the drama, sections of which involve a trumpet fanfare as characters appear on stage. The action is somewhat obscured by the audience. A member of the cast holds up a sail, presumably representing the journey by boat to Bolligrew Island. Some of the cast move onto the stage while the rest perform just in front, both areas are utilised for the rest of the play. At the end of the play the cast gather on stage and in front to take the applause at the end of the performance. A member of the teaching staff, who is presumably the director of the play is presented with a bouquet by members of the cast. The audience leave the theatre.