Our GCSE and A Level Drama pupils took to the stage to perform their exam pieces in front of a live audience and visiting examiner in The Shed. First up, our Upper Sixth A Level Drama students delivered an electrifying performance showcasing their exceptional skills. Henry (Upper Sixth, Harcourt) kicked things off with a hilarious and awkward monologue as Freddie from A Brief History of Helen of Troy, perfectly capturing the cringeworthy attempts of a teenager trying to seduce Charlotte. Oscar’s (Upper Sixth, Vanbrugh) portrayal of the entitled Alistair from Posh was a masterclass in controlled menace, delivering simmering resentment with chilling precision.
The evening’s highlight was the darkly comedic The Pillowman by Martin McDonagh. The cast’s performances were outstanding, with Xander (Fourth Form, Vanbrugh) as the writer Katurian, and Henry and Oscar as the contrasting Detectives Tupolski and Ariel. The gripping, dynamic piece kept the audience on the edge of their seats, blending humour, tension, and deep emotional layers throughout.
Later in the month, GCSE Drama candidates showcased their talents with monologue and duologue presentations, which highlighted their incredible talent in an evening filled with laughter and unforgettable moments.
The performances showcased a range of genres, with standout moments from all involved. Evie-Rose (Fifth Form, Queen Anne) as Pam and Ellie (Fifth Form, Swift) as Sarah in Medea brought humour to their bickering, while Zoe (Fifth Form, Queen Anne) entertained as Amy in Breathing Corpses and Elaine in a hilarious Sky box anecdote. Meredith (Fifth Form, Vanbrugh) as Charlotte and Grace (Fifth Form, Harcourt) as Heather captured the humour of teenage friendship in A Brief History of Helen of Troy. Tension rose in The Girl’s Guide to Saving the World, with Isabella (Fifth Form, Gascoigne) as Bella and Megan (Fifth Form, Harcourt) as Jane anxiously awaiting a pregnancy test result. Megan’s (Fifth Form, Vanbrugh) emotional portrayal of Bex from Lit left the audience moved, while Ellie Lunn’s monologue from Medea reflected on family struggles. Emmeline (Fifth Form, Feilden) and Megan’s dynamic as Sylvia and Bex in Lit provided laughs and tension. The evening closed with a powerful scene from Lit by Emmeline and a striking portrayal of Medea by Evie-Rose.
