Cappies: St. Mark performed a polished, witty, heartfelt production of Anne of Green Gables

Published Jan 06, 2025  •  Last updated 6 hours ago  •  12 minute read

Zayne MacDonald as Gilbert (L), Lydia Malcolm as Anne (2ndFL), Nathan Mike-Amobeda as Moody (2ndFR), and Angelina Melki as Diana (R) during St. Mark High School's Cappies production of Anne of Green Gables, on December 14. 2024. Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

Show #  3
St. Mark High School
Anne of Green Gables
Director: Erin Hand

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Bridget O’Neill, Critic
Holy Trinity Catholic High School

With a fiery personality to rival fiery red hair, a hardheaded orphan sets off on a journey of firsts- first real home, first friendships, first love, and more. How will she fare? St. Mark High School takes a journey through this young girl’s eventful life.

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Based on the beloved and timeless book series by Lucy Maud Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables follows the young girl, Anne Shirley, in her determined attempts to navigate life, struggling for a home until she is adopted by brother and sister, Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, owners of Green Gables farm in Avonlea, Prince Edward Island. There she meets the opinionated Mrs. Lynde, her bosom friend Diana Barry, and her enemy-turned-rival-turned-friend Gilbert Blythe, as well as a plethora of colourful characters residing in Avonlea. Anne maneuvers powerful love and tough loss in this heartfelt coming-of-age tale.

The titular role of Anne Shirley, a headstrong and passionate young woman, was played amazingly by Lydia Malcolm. Malcolm maintained the perfect enthusiasm and expressive energy of an 11-year-old Anne in Act One, and beautifully transitioned to a matured teenager preparing for adulthood come Act Two. With an undeniable stage presence, Malcolm commanded every scene with drastic shifts in mood, from happy-go-lucky to sobbing on the floor in seconds flat. Every line was delivered loud and clear with engaging emphasis and enunciation. Malcolm played off the rest of the cast delightfully, performing witty dialogue with good energy and clear dynamics between characters. There wasn’t a moment Malcolm was on stage without attention drawn.

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Lydia Malcolm as Anne (L) and Grace Shearer (R) during St. Mark High School’s Cappies production of Anne of Green Gables. Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

Grace Shearer’s depiction of Jane Andrews, classmate and close friend of Anne, was refreshing and entertaining. Shearer stood out on stage, marked by consistently high energy and fantastic stage presence. Each line was delivered with zany enthusiasm, making every interaction hilarious to watch. Shearer played skillfully off of the rest of the cast, keeping dialogue quick and witty. Shearer’s ability to bounce off of others shone through in the on-stage relationship with Ruby Gillis (Lily Cote), and the best friends were a delightful duo throughout. The pair’s animated retelling of the slate breaking was hysterical and clever. Another exceptional performance was Katie Collin portraying Mrs. Lynde, the sweet and sour, though mostly sour, friend of Marilla Cuthbert (Ainsley Hull). Collin maintained the mannerisms of the character, posture straight, hands clasped and face stoic in every scene. Collin’s ability to transform into the character on stage was that of a seasoned professional. The polished delivery of lines and refined reactions demonstrated Collin’s thorough understanding of the role.

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The technical aspects of the performance were consistent with the overall quality of the show, well refined and clear, without grabbing attention away from the cast. The lighting did an excellent job of setting the tone for the show, emulating bright sunny days in Avonlea. The focus on different settings was clear as the lighting zones adjusted to highlight specific spaces. Each scene change was punctuated by well-timed blackouts and began with equally succinct illuminations. The hairstyles of the cast did a wonderful job of demonstrating the classes and ages of the characters, buns for the older women and bows for the younger girls. The makeup was subtle yet effective, enough to give the cast a lively, age-appropriate look without being distracting.

St. Mark High School performed a polished, witty, heartfelt and overall charming take on the classic story many know and love. Every aspect of the production, from the opening scene to the curtain call, came together to create an enjoyable and passionate performance of Anne of Green Gables.

Gianna Dufresne, Critic
St. Joseph High School

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Growing up has always been a challenging experience, but it can be made easier if one has a place to call home. The support of family and friends offers a necessary constant in a whirlwind of rapid changes. St. Mark High School’s performance of Anne of Green Gables perfectly depicts its themes of found family and belonging.

Set in the late 1800s, Anne of Green Gables is a classic coming-of-age story. Anne Shirley is an orphan adopted by middle-aged siblings Matthew and Marilla after their request to adopt a boy is miscommunicated. Anne’s biggest insecurity is her red hair, resulting in emotional outbursts if anyone dares to mention it. The play follows Anne’s many misadventures as she matures from an overly dramatic 12-year-old to a more collected 18-year-old.

Lydia Malcolm (L) and Zayne MacDonald as Gilbert (R). Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

Lydia Malcolm, as Anne, expertly portrayed the character’s growth throughout the story. Malcolm was able to clearly show how much Anne changes while holding onto the energy that is essential to her character. Malcolm’s use of body language, animated facial expressions, and captivating stage presence was engaging and entertaining. Malcolm was able to quickly switch between emotions, as the scenes demanded, without breaking the flow of the action.

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The exceptional supporting cast was essential to creating the play’s cozy, feel-good atmosphere. Zayne Macdonald was a convincing and compelling Gilbert Blythe. Macdonald’s constant, subtle acting in the background of scenes, comedic timing, and relaxed delivery left a lasting impression.

Ainsley Hull and Billy Wootton had excellent chemistry as Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert. Hull handled the depth and hidden emotions of Marilla with expertise. Giving small smiles when Anne wasn’t looking and slowly becoming more relaxed in mannerisms, Hull displayed how much Marilla cares for Anne. Wootton’s portrayal of the kind-hearted Matthew was endearing. As one of the only characters without a significant change in behaviour during the play, Matthew serves as an anchor for the characters around him. Wootton’s consistent depiction of Matthew and his love for Anne and Marilla made it all the more heartbreaking when he died.

Lily Cote as Ruby (L), Ainsley Hull as Marilla (2ndFL), Angelina Melki as Diana (C), Katie Collin as Mrs. Lynde (2ndFR), and Grace Shearer as Jane Andrews (R). Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

The cast’s performance was enhanced by the clever use of lighting to direct attention to different parts of the stage. The lighting allowed the actors to be seen at all times without distracting from the events that were unfolding and the lines being delivered.

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Anne’s red hair is a crucial part of the plot and serves as an inciting incident for many of the comedic situations she gets herself into. As such, the use of a convincing red hairpiece for Anne made the characters’ reactions and interactions believable. Hairstyles were also used to show the passage of time during the play. For example, Anne’s hair was initially worn in two braids, but later on, it was let down similarly to her classmates. This helped to show how Anne found a place in Green Gables and amongst her peers.

The combination of expert acting and attention to detail made St. Mark High School’s adaptation of this beloved tale a delightful experience. Congratulations to the cast and crew for their excellent work in bringing this story to life.

Brooklyn Stankovic, Critic
Holy Trinity Catholic High School

Will Anne Shirley finally have the life she has dreamed of? Or will she forever feel like she doesn’t belong? Welcome to the story of Anne of Green Gables, where an innocent and trusting girl had an unfortunate start to life. This is a play performed by St. Mark High School.

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Set in the late 19th century on Prince Edward Island, Anne of Green Gables tells the charming and humorous tale of Anne, a young orphan girl who, after spending her childhood in orphanages, is sent to live with a man and woman in Avonlea. Shirley is sent to Matthew and Marilla, who had intended to adopt a strong, young boy to help out with chores around the farm. Anne’s character is imaginative, dramatic, and easy to please. In the beginning, she is defensive about her appearance, hating her freckles and bright red hair. With time, she eventually becomes confident and doesn’t react when people comment on her looks.

The lead role of Anne, portrayed by Lydia Malcom, was captivating. Lydia was very quick with facial expressions and made the script feel extremely natural. Malcolm was also fuelled with emotion, consistent with her expressions, and portrayed Anne in both a classic and original way.

Zayne MacDonald as Gilbert (L), Lydia Malcolm as Anne (2ndFL), Nathan Mike-Amobeda as Moody (2ndFR), and Angelina Melki as Diana (R). Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

Ainsley Hull’s portrayal of the reserved and independent Marilla was outstanding. Marilla is a strong-willed woman who isn’t afraid to discipline Anne, initially coming across as stern and unyielding. However, as the story unfolds and her bond with Anne deepens, Marilla becomes more open and affectionate. Hull masterfully conveyed this transformation, subtly showcasing Marilla’s growing affection through small, tender smiles when Anne wasn’t looking.

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The hair and makeup in Anne of Green Gables were clearly carefully planned. Anne’s rosy cheeks accentuated her features, making her red hair stand out even more, while Matthew’s grey hair toward the end of the story highlighted his aging in a subtle yet effective way.

St. Mark High School delivered a stunning and hilarious play that clearly reflected the tremendous effort invested in it. The unforgettable performance of Anne of Green Gables was brought to life by the talented actors, actresses, and crew, who worked together to create an amazing show.

Manal Abdul-Rahim, Critic
A.Y. Jackson Secondary School

Fiery red hair and a fiery personality, that can only mean one girl: Anne (with an “e” of course) Shirley! St. Mark High School’s amazing production of the beloved classic, Anne of Green Gables, brought Avonlea’s cozy and cheerful atmosphere to life.

Anne of Green Gables, written by L.M. Montgomery, tells the story of a young orphan girl, Anne Shirley. Set in Prince Edward Island in the 1880s, Anne arrives in Avonlea with nothing but a small travel bag and her imaginative spirit. While the latter initially creates a little unease for her new guardian, Marilla Cuthbert, it gradually becomes something that Marilla can’t help but love. Though Marilla and her brother, Matthew Cuthbert, were expecting the arrival of a young boy to help out around the farm and were initially hesitant about keeping Anne, Anne quickly became a true member of their family whom they couldn’t imagine life without.

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St. Mark High School’s portrayal of L.M. Montgomery’s story takes us through Anne’s initial arrival in Avonlea, when she was just 11 years old, up until the summer before she begins teaching. Playing the main female lead, Lydia Malcolm perfectly captures Anne’s eccentric and imaginative nature. Through the use of a rapid yet strong and clear tone of voice and quick, over-dramatic mood changes, the energy that makes Anne such a unique character was amazingly brought to life. Additionally, Malcolm effectively conveys Anne’s maturation throughout the years by slightly toning down the over-the-top energy in the second half of the play, while still preserving Anne’s bubbly spirit that makes her who she is.

Lydia Malcolm. Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

As Marilla Cuthbert, Ainsley Hull excellently presents the duality of strictness and gentleness that defines Marilla’s character. Hull’s telling yet moderate facial expressions offer a glimpse of Marilla’s true feelings, whereas it wouldn’t otherwise be obvious, considering that Marilla isn’t a character who openly expresses her emotions. Throughout the play, Marilla’s growing fondness for Anne is clearly portrayed, despite the barrier of being incapable of revealing her feelings out loud, and her love for the young girl is plainly evident by the end.

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Finally, Anne’s group of school friends really brought a sense of playfulness to the play. Whether it was the relationship between Anne and her “bosom friend,” Diana Barry (Angelina Melki), demonstrating the importance of a best friend in a young girl’s life, or the dynamic between Ruby Gillis (Lily Cote) and Jane Andrews (Grace Shearer), who were often teasing each other, when the girls were on stage together, they created a lively and engaging atmosphere that was impossible to look away from. And we can’t forget about the slightly mean-yet-loveable friend Josie Pye. Played by Faith Helmer-Dowser, Josie’s snarky personality was amazingly portrayed.

A major component in telling the story was using lighting, designed by Alyssa Sandercott, to set different scenes. By illuminating different zones of the stage, it was made clear which part of Avonlea the scene was set in. Whether a specific room in the Green Gables home was illuminated, or the entire back of the stage was dimmed to indicate we were in a different area of Avonlea completely, there was never any confusion as to where the scene was meant to take place.

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Anne of Green Gables is a classic story that is loved by so many, and the cast and crew of St. Mark High School did an amazing job at preserving the charm that makes it so special!

Ryan Groulx, Critic
Holy Trinity Catholic High School

In the town of Avonlea, two siblings attempt to adopt a boy to aid them on their farm, thus the red haired girl with a vast imagination and knack for talking that showed up was not what they were expecting in the slightest. St. Mark High School takes a journey to beautiful Prince Edward Island with their production of the Canadian classic, Anne of Green Gables.

This adventure, adapted to the stage by Peter Delaurier, follows the story of a red haired orphan girl, Anne Shirley. After a mix up in the adoption system, she is sent to live with the Cuthbert siblings, Matthew and Marilla. Within this time, she befriends many people in this small town and embraces her imaginative self, causing everyone around her to blossom just like she does.

Lydia Malcolm brought the people of Avonlea together with her portrayal of Anne Shirley. Malcolm’s ability to be joyous and caring through voice, movement, and most importantly, interactions with others on stage came to make the performance truly vibrant. Malcolm also brought a vulnerable side which made emotional scenes all the more touching.

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Lydia Malcolm (L), Zayne MacDonald as Gilbert (2ndFL), Faith Helmer-Dowser (2ndFR), and Grace Shearer as Jane Andrews (R). Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

Acting as a guardian figure, Billy Wootton was a considerate caregiver as Matthew. Wootton spoke with confidence yet kept himself anchored to the role of a pure hearted and humble farmer. Acting partly as an opposite personality-wise was Ainsley Hull as Marilla. Hull gave a stern portrayal of the far stricter guardian with projection and actions, though showing some kindness towards those she cares about. Hull had a good stage presence alongside Wootton, where both showed a deep sibling bond that is difficult to portray.

Invoking the image of a cool and charming teenage boy was Zayne Macdonald as Gilbert Blythe. Macdonald embodied an intelligent yet sometimes rude nature to bring an amusing performance. Serving as some of Anne’s friends were Ruby Gillis and Jane Andrews, played by Lily Cote and Grace Shearer respectively. Cote and Shearer both brought friendly and welcoming energy through some comedic moments and a friendship with Anne that felt genuine.

The hair and makeup exemplified the aesthetics of the late 19th century and gave everything an authentic look, especially for Anne’s iconic red hair. The lighting director was able to execute many different cues, shifting focus to different zones.

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The cast of St. Mark High School’s Anne of Green Gables created a performance of quality. Each actor brought their own unique and amazing portrayals of their characters, all delivering a product that remains faithful to the classic story.

Lydia Malcolm as Anne (L) and Angelina Melki as Diana (R) during St. Mark High School’s Cappies production of Anne of Green Gables. Photo by Reese Brazier /Student

About the reviews:

The  St. Mark High School production was reviewed by 22 critics representing 5 schools. The critic discussions were mentored by teacher Sarah Davidson of Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School and student reviews were edited and selected for publication by teacher Laura Grace Conlon of Elmwood School, who could see only the reviews, not the names or schools of the reviewers.

Next review: All Saints High School’s production of Footloose presented at Meridian Theatre Centrepointe.

About the Cappies:

The Citizen and 23 high schools are participating in the Cappies, a Washington, D.C.based program that uses high school critics to review high school theatre. The program is a unique partnership between the Ottawa Citizen, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board and the Ottawa Catholic School Board. Two schools from other boards in the region and two private schools have also joined. The Cappies season culminates with an awards Gala in June graciously hosted by the National Arts Centre. Follow Canada’s Capital Cappies on X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram @OttawaCappies.

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