Drama is an integral part of the pupils’ weekly curriculum, with additional opportunities for performance during the year. Standards are very high and a huge amount of time and thought goes into the vision and planning of every show. Many pupils find performing in a play or working backstage one of the most enriching and formative parts of their time at the Under School. Some are even inspired to pursue their interest outside of School.
For children in Year 7 and 8 who are interested in the technical aspects of a production, such as lighting and sound, a team of Theatre Technicians is recruited to support a production. Our Lighting and Sound Technician, teaches them the skills required of a Stage Management team. For example, in one production, we had a crew of six taking responsibility as Lighting Operator, Sound Operator, and four Stage Managers organising the movement of set and props during scene changes.
The School houses a well-equipped studio theatre with raked seating which enables pupils to experience working on shows with high production values. We have four main productions a year: Reception pupils participate in a Christmas Nativity. All of our Junior pupils (years 3 and 4) participate in a production, usually a musical. With both the Middle School and Senior School shows, participation is optional and roles are cast from auditions. The Middle School production (Years 5 and 6) is typically staged before the Easter break, and the Senior production (Years 7 and 8) is typically staged in the Play term.
