The presence of the annual Main School Show always dominates spring term for the Drama Department, but amidst the excitement and anticipation over 'Jesus Christ Superstar' we are busier than ever. Year 7 have been excitedly devising mini medieval mystery plays (Jesus is everywhere at the moment!). Year 8 are releasing their (barely disguised) inner divas in the Soap Opera scheme of work and Year 9 are developing their Theatre in Education skills
before launching into modern versions of Romeo and Juliet in a cross-curricular tie-in with English.
Our newest groups of GCSE students are rehearsing physical theatre versions of Arabian Nights and Grimm’s FairyTales – some of them are even taking their work on tour (well, as far as Hayes Primary and The Glebe!). Meanwhileour massive Year 11 cohort is immersing itself in Puritan Massachusetts for the annual assault on The Crucible. Every coursework mark matters in the final practical so after- school hours in the Drama studios and canteen will doubtless
soon be filled with the shouts of John Proctors and sobs of Mary Warrens!
This year’s AS level productions are all up and running with no less than 6 plays in rehearsal for performance in May. Meanwhile, at the very top of the drama tree our A2 groups are coming to terms with the complexities of Aristophanes and Shakespeare respectively as they work towards the summer exam. Alongside all this our high profile role in the school’s Arts Specialism has seen our prefects taking an ever more active role in local primary projects, whilst major links with the drama departments at The Priory and Bullers Wood are in the works. And somehow in amongst all this 40 of our most extraordinary students have been working all hours to put together what promises to be our most spectacular main school production yet. We hope to see you in the audience next month!
Mr C Gunning, Head of Drama