The Shadow Ridge High School Theater Department brought a classic tale to life last month with their production of The Reluctant Dragon, from April 10th through 12th, each show starting at 6 p.m. and a matinee on the 12th at 1 p.m.
Based on the beloved story by Kenneth Grahame, the play offered a fun and heartwarming message about friendship, understanding, and not judging others by their appearances.
Set in a quaint medieval village, The Reluctant Dragon tells the story of a peace-loving dragon who just wants to read poetry and be left alone. When the townspeople discover his presence, panic sets in, until a young boy and the famous knight St. George find a better way to solve the conflict than with violence.
The story was filled with humor, charm, and valuable life lessons that connected with audiences of all ages.
The SRHS theater students had been hard at work for weeks, rehearsing lines, making costumes, and building whimsical set pieces that transport the audience into the heart of the English countryside.
The cast and crew poured their creativity and energy into every part of the production, under the direction of Mrs. Hartley, the SRHS theater director.
Junior Austin Burnett states, “I played the quirky character of Grimsby, a squire for Kendal who hates meat pies, and is seen as a coward. I love working on The Reluctant Dragon mainly because of the cast because they have been really fun to be around and goof off backstage with.”
What made this production truly stand out was its mix of comedy and love. From the dragon’s amusing dialogue to the dramatic elegance of the village townsfolk, the play offered a little something for everyone.
The students’ performances brought a fresh energy to the classic tale, with expressive acting and lively stage presence that kept the audience engaged from start to finish.
Adam Conboy, a senior actor at Shadow Ridge who plays the role of The Dragon in the play, states, “The dragon is a bit of an outlier among the stereotypical dragons. Instead of breathing fire and defending fiery redheads from ogres (and perhaps falling for a Donkey in the process), he takes pleasure in things like tea parties and watercoloring. His absolute favorite thing to do is to write poetry and he longs for someone to share it with.”
With the mix of humor and talented acting, the SRHS theater department came together to produce yet another an amazing play.
Conboy adds, “The message that this show conveys to the audience is exactly what the theme of our shows this year strives to deliver, and it is to look for the magic behind the mirror. I believe that it is a truly important message, especially within the journey of finding self-love.”
