Drama and Theatre Studies
At AS and A level, students follow the AQA syllabus which allows them to explore theatre practitioners, set texts and to perform both devised and scripted work.
Throughout the School, there are opportunities for students to develop their skills in sound, lighting, costume and set design and to be examined in these skills if desired.
Workshops assist pupils in their development of skills and include English Touring Theatre, Trestle Theatre Company, Lighting and Actor led workshops.
Live Theatre
Performance is a popular and vibrant area of school life. The Summer Musical is arguably the showcase of the year with students from Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 taking part as actors, dancers, backstage crew and band members. Recent productions include Anything Goes, Grease, Oklahoma Kiss me Kate, Singin’ in the Rain and West Side Story. This event is well supported within the wider community reaching large audiences. Local musicians supplement our own band.
In November each year, a more classical play is performed at school by the senior pupils. Recent productions include Under Milk Wood, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Our Country’s Good, The Crucible, The Threepenny Opera and Oh What a Lovely War.
Years 7 and 8 have the opportunity to perform in the Summer Term. This year, pupils enjoyed their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Cross Curricular links with Music, Art and CDT are strong and work includes both devised and scripted performances. Most recently, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe was very well received. Previous productions have included The Canterbury Tales, Tall Tales, Dracula Spectacular, The Silver Sword and The Ancient Mariner.
Students take part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival; Year 11 performing Hamlet in 2005 and Years 9 and 10 tackling The Winter’s Tale in 2007.
When time permits, other year groups produce plays. Ayckbourn’s Confusions was a memorable instance, as was a production entitled students showcase their work throughout the year, in informal lunchtime performances and in evening opportunities where parents and prospective students can get a taste of the subject. Sixth Form students perform challenging texts and devised work is always thought provoking and professionally produced.
Frequent theatre trips are arranged to the West End, to local theatres and to Southampton, Chichester, Portsmouth and Salisbury.