Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Marple Newtown High School in Newtown Square, PA
December 19, 2023
Review submitted by Claire Arnault of Conestoga High School
Marple Newtown High School’s rendition of Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic was an eventful and lively show. Written in 2015 by Matt Cox, Puffs is an energetic comedy that takes the audience on a magical journey.
Puffs takes the audience back to a familiar and nostalgic magical world and focuses on an underrepresented group: the Puffs! The story follows Wayne Hopkins, a boy who just learned he was a wizard, as he navigates his new magical life and tries to make friends. The show is filled with comedic moments and references that the Marple Newtown performers made their own.
The show was greatly uplifted by the energy of the Puff students. The cast’s commitment to their over-the-top roles created a cheery energy that represented the Puffs’ upbeat personalities well and lasted the entire two acts. Every member of the lead cast and ensemble worked together to bring the Puffs to life through palpable joy and camaraderie.
Kayden Braegger led the cast as Wayne Hopkins, a naïve new wizard who takes the audience on a journey as he discovers his new world. Braegger’s comedic timing was flawless, and his diction was clear. Gage Grace did a wonderful job as the endearing Oliver Rivers, Wayne’s first friend. Kayley Brown provided a comedic performance as Megan Jones, the third in the trio, and a reluctant Puff. Together, the three friends were a touching group that helped to bring the world to life. The two narrators (Teddy Pilko and Margaret Schiller) handled their busy roles with poise. They introduced every “book” within the play and moved the story along through their banter and comedy.
The show featured excellent performances from many other actors, including Roham Shirazi as Cedric, the charismatic Puffs leader. He brought the ensemble together and kept up his charm through the entire show. J. Finch Fletchley (Cole Grace) and Mr. Voldy (Gabriel Dezzi) provided upbeat comedy in every scene which they appeared.
Marple Newtown’s stage crew and stage managers (Erin Brangiel and Lyla DeAngelo) handled the tricky show with professionalism. The set was well-built and decorated beautifully, including painted cobblestones and creative portraits hanging in the background. The set included an impressive giant spider that was featured in the final fight scene and wowed the audience. The props crew, led by Tori Bower and Dillan Golbon, created a sturdy scroll that was dropped from the ceiling, showcasing the crew’s expertise.
Marple Newtown put on a cheerful show with Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic that displayed the hard work and commitment of their entire cast and crew.
_________________________________________________________________
Review submitted by Brynleigh Duffy of Upper Dublin High School
An increasingly eventful production at a certain performing arts center, Marple Newtown High School’s Puffs, or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic was a magical experience not to be missed.
The story of Puffs is Matt Cox’s cleverly written parody of the Harry Potter franchise. This play occurs at the same time as the main franchise, but brings the often-overlooked side characters of the “Puffs” into the spotlight. The Puffs attempt to navigate their seven years at school while learning the art of magic, keeping themselves out of danger, and building friendships that last a lifetime.
Puffs was a production built on the strength of its ensemble as a whole. By nature of the show, it was crucial that the cast was tight-knit and played off of each other successfully, which was evident from the moment this production began. The bonds that the actors had with each other shone through in every scene, emphasizing the message of friendship and loyalty at the show’s core. With an incredibly fast-paced script, the cast did an admirable job of keeping up and moving through every change or “magic” effect seamlessly.
While the ensemble in its entirety was the focus of the show, the leading actors notably helped to drive the piece forward. Kayden Braegger (Wayne Hopkins) was incredibly consistent in his energy, an impressive feat considering the amount of time he was onstage. Similarly, Kayley Brown (Megan Jones) gracefully showed the development of their character throughout the production. To portray an arc that occurs over the course of seven years is no easy task, but these actors stepped up to the challenge, and their efforts paid off in the end.
In addition to the leading actors, many supporting characters stood out in their performances. Toby Walker (Harry) had many comedic moments throughout the production, consistently earning a laugh from the audience despite their brief appearances. Another notable performance came from Roham Shirazi (Cedric), who delivered many of the lines leading up to the final message of the piece. Shirazi perfectly captured this beloved and knowledgeable character, rallying the Puffs together in the moments when they needed it most.
The successes of Marple Newtown’s production could not be fully captured without mentioning the technical aspects of the show. It was clear that a great deal of time and thought had been put into the design of the show, most notably in the set and props. The production included many detailed props, all of which fit right into the magical universe of the show. With only a few minor sound errors, the show ran very smoothly overall.
Puffs was a show filled to the brim with care and thoughtfulness in every aspect, bringing joy to the audience just as the characters would have hoped to.
Cappies Production Reviews 