DramaClassroom drama is taught to children in Years 4, 5 and 6. The emphasis is on learning basic performance skills and developing the children's self-confidence through mime, improvisation and scripted performance. They learn to work well with others and also to have fun! In Year 7, some drama is delivered through the French curriculum. Annual events involving the whole block include the Greek Plays by Year 4; scenes from the Iliad and Odyssey performed by Year 6 and French sketches by all of Year 7. All children in Year 8 have an opportunity to perform in the annual French Variety Show and a small group of scholars take a play to France after their exams in the summer. Each year group puts on a major production. In Years 4 and 5 all the children take part in the plays, and all who wish to in Year 6. Thereafter plays are run by audition. A balance is kept between musicals and straight plays. There is plenty of opportunity for informal drama. There are numerous drama clubs as part of the Activities Programme and, some of these lead to public performance. There is an annual Variety Show open to the whole school; an Improvisation Evening for Years 7 and 8 and an Entertainments' Evening for Years 6 and 7 at the end of the summer. There is a Leavers' Revue at the end of the school year and Curtain Call (a more formal evening of music and drama) in the last week. There is a presentation of scenes from "Journey's End" by children in Year 7 to coincide with Remembrance Sunday, which also supports the First World War poetry they study in English. There are occasional boarding house plays and regular house entertainment evenings. Participation in all areas of drama is encouraged. There are on-going activities for sound and lighting and the children are actively involved in productions. We have an extensive costume department and there are strong links with the Music Department who train the singers, play in bands and often write material. Children also perform in bands for some plays. Likewise, the Art Department helps with set design and painting, and we have great support from the Maintenance Department who help build the sets. Children work back stage on scenery and stage management. For further information contact: |
