Our vast and varied programme within the Drama department enables pupils to develop their self-confidence and learn advanced performance skills. Through mime, improvisation, games, devised sketches and scripted performance, our pupils are given a wide range of creative opportunities where they can flourish and as such, the Dragon has a remarkable track-record in producing some well-known actors on stage and screen.
Curriculum Drama is taught to Years 5 & 6 and pupils not taking an additional language in Years 7 & 8. Year 4 pupils enjoy Drama games as part of their Activities programme. A number of Year 8 pupils also have an opportunity to write and direct their own plays as part of the Post Exam Group Programme during Common Entrance Week. Our experienced and industry-driven LAMDA coaches work closely with the Head of Drama to assist in preparing scholarship candidates for a range of top secondary and performing art schools.
Cross-curricular events involving the whole year group include: Bards of Bardwell Road, a selection of Shakespeare Scenes in Year 5; Scenes from the Iliad and Odyssey in Year 6 and French sketches in Year 7. A number of Year 7 pupils also perform Scenes from Journey’s End to coincide with Remembrance Sunday. There is an Upper School Play and an Upper School Musical for Years 7 & 8 in the Autumn Term, a Year 6 Production in the Summer Term and a Year 4 Production in the Spring Term. A professional band of nine live musicians play in our orchestra pit, although a balance is kept between musical and non-musical plays.
