Drama

Millicent Fawcett Hall

Named after the president of the National Union of Women’s Suffrage Societies, it was acquired by the School in August 2000. After refurbishment, it re-opened as a state-of-the-art theatre space in September 2001. All of our teaching, and most productions take place here, close as it is to Dean’s Yard. Several other spaces in the school are also used, including the proscenium arch stage in the main school hall, and the garden behind Ashburnham House.

See more photos of music and drama activities..

Productions

Of the dozen or so plays performed each year, there are typically three main school productions, including an opera or musical in conjunction with the music department, and a Shakespeare play. House Plays, foreign language productions, pupil-produced pieces and exam performances make up the rest of the season, with occasional (and very successful) trips to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the summer.

Workshops

As part of the Lower School Activities programme there are Drama workshops, introducing junior boys to theatre work and improvisation. These workshops often lead to a performance. For pupils in the 6th form Options are offered from time to time in various aspects of performance, such as audition technique, which helps several pupils each year to gain admission to the National Youth Theatre.

On the curriculum

Drama is offered throughout the school, starting with a single lesson per week in the 5th form. Pupils may then choose to study Drama at GCSE (average 26 boys), and A level Theatre Studies (average 9 boys and girls). While a very small number successfully apply to Drama School, for most Theatre Studies is seen as an invaluable adjunct to a range of other subjects and career choices, improving self-confidence, inter-personal and presentational skills and cultural awareness.

Theatre visits

Given the School’s central London location, accompanied groups of pupils frequently visit theatres in the West End and on the fringe to see the latest shows.