Speech and Drama Showcase Evening

Still glowing from their excellent LAMDA results, the students blew us away with another outstanding Speech and Drama Showcase on 9th February. Performing – some for the first time – to an audience of family and friends, they delivered a jam-packed programme which was very well received by all who attended. 

Once again, 63 students from years five to eight performed 28 scenes in less than an hour and a half, helped by some excellent stage managers including Ben W, Rosie C, Greta G and Lily I.

The evening opened with an outstanding dramatic performance from Eleanor P-C and Charlotte B who recently achieved Drama scholarships to Leweston and Kings School Bruton respectively. Set in Victorian London, they played East End girls discussing their new position in high society, which we learn is not for everyone.  Quickly changing the tone, the next scene saw three cats, played by Eloise C, Cecily S and Ellie M, sitting on the wall getting confused about the musical “Cats”.

Scenes from well-known stories included “The Worst Witch”, played by Skye P, Jessica C and Imogen C, and “Fawlty Towers”, with Michael J and Wolfie S, in which Manuel’s hamster is mistaken for a rat during a hotel inspection. Sticking with classic comedy, Oscar S and Jake F played “The Odd Couple” in a scene by Neil Simon in which battle ensues over linguini. “The Importance of Being Earnest” featured once again, although this time the discussion was about muffins, played beautifully by Oliver LS and Thomas S.

A scene from “Fantastic Mr Fox” was played very entertainingly by Oliver P, Alec de P and Jimmy L, as was a lovely piece from “Pygmalion” played by Georgia W and Tabitha F. Faye C and Jemima H focused on man’s best friend using innovative puppetry in “Doggies”, while Khadijah KB and Ruby M gave outstanding performances in a sketch “Food”. Meanwhile Rosie C, another Drama Scholar, to Roedean appeared as a ghost to her friend played by Greta G in “Vicky Angel”.

Some students had created their own devised performances with a range of different tones. Jamie T and Max C were both sent into panic as they realised everyone in the shop had been frozen, while Freya S and Tara McL  –  closed the evening with a very funny scene about two women bickering at each other while preparing to run a marathon.

Every student bought true excellence to their performance, and I am so proud of them all!

I would like to say a huge thank you to Mrs Mansergh and her team who organised the make-up in just 45 minutes, to Mrs Mahony and all parents who contributed costumes, and to all staff and gaps who very kindly gave up their time to make this evening so successful.

Emma de la Poer

Click here to see the photo album of the Speech and Drama evening in Flickr