Greg Fossard from Stage-Ed Theatre company
Greg Fossard from Stage-Ed is a highly experienced practitioner who brought lots of new ideas and encouraged the students to step outside their comfort zone. As a seasoned actor and director, students benefited from Greg’s insights and first-hand experience.
Year 11 & 13 Devising Performances
Our GCSE and A Level Drama students spent the first part of term preparing for their first practical assessments. They even spent time rehearsing in school on a Sunday with Ms White so the students could add depth and detail to their work. After a week of intense technical and dress rehearsals they all performed brilliantly on the day.
Year 8 Junior Drama Inter-House Production
What an exhilarating evening the Junior Drama production was! Year 8 performed pieces written and directed by our Sixth Form in the SWPS Junior Drama 2023 event. The Inter-House competition had everyone on the edge of their seats, including proud parents, esteemed judges, and talented students. Judged by Caroline Harker, professional actress and SWPS LAMDA teacher and Ailis Machin, former Performing Arts co-ordinator, the audience was wowed by some incredible drama performances and the deliberation was tough, but the cup was awarded to Montagu House for their sensational victory performing ‘The Battle of the Phones’. The evening raised over £300 for Montagu’s chosen charity, Cancer Research.
Theatre Trips
Frantic Assembly’s ‘Metamorphosis’
Viewing and evaluating live theatre is an integral part of our curriculum and our GCSE and A Level Drama students enjoyed an adaptation of Kafka’s ‘Metamorphosis’ at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. Originally written in 1912, the new version performed was an adaptation by renowned poet/playwright Lemn Sissay and produced by Frantic Assembly. The Metamorphosis story resonates strongly today because it deals with mankind’s inbuilt prejudice and reflects on social aspects like loneliness and feelings of exclusion, which is in opposition to the inclusive, diverse, and belonging culture which SWPS fosters.
Drama Scholars’ trip to Peter Pan
Our Drama Scholars had an exciting trip to watch the production of Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, at The Rose Theatre in Kingston. A Rose Original Production which had been adapted by award-winning writer Evan Placey, this Peter Pan production was packed with song, dance, magic, and featured members of the talented Rose Youth Theatre, including Ariana S, who is a SWPS Drama scholar. Well done Ariana on an incredible performance, we are so proud of you.
Made in Dagenham Rehearsals
The whole school production of Made in Dagenham rehearsals have been going really well, with our amazingly talented cast locking in some of the key musical numbers over the last few weeks. The cast and staff have been working hard to bring this amazing story to life on stage. The cast and crew are doing a fantastic job, and we can’t wait for opening night on 2 February 2024.
