A Doll’s House, The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith

On 18th September, A Level drama students went to see an adaptation of Ibsen’s classic play, A Doll’s House, re-written by Tanika Gupta and new artistic director Rachel O’Riordan at the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith. We see the production set in Calcutta 1879 under British rule, bringing new dimensions to the production of racial politics alongside the classic portrayal of female perspective and ownership. The students have since led some great debates on the naturalistic classic and already produced some interesting responses to the Section A Live Theatre section of their exam.

Miss Mack Head of Dram

Everyone’s Talking About Jamie, Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue

Year 11 GCSE Drama students went to see ‘Everyone’s Talking About Jamie’ at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue on Wednesday 25th September. The students were experiencing live theatre in preparation for their Component 3 examination where they will discuss their response to the production and demonstrate their theatrical knowledge. The students really enjoyed the production which is based on a true story of a young man named Jamie New, who wants to attend his school prom in a dress. The show explores many current issues of identity, self-expression and having the strength to be true to who you are. Year 11 students made mountains of notes during the performance and have returned to the classroom full of ideas that they are ready to discuss in their written exam! Thank You to Mrs Hetherington and Mr Rock for supporting us on the trip and to the GCSE Students who were exemplary all day!

Miss Mack Head of Drama

Peter Gynt, The National Theatre

A Level Drama and Theatre students attended a matinee production of Peter Gynt at The National Theatre on Tuesday 1st October. This was their second theatre trip in two weeks, allowing them to see a very different approach to classic theatre by the great Henrik Ibsen, often known for naturalism! This modern adaptation by David Hare sees Ibsen’s hero run away into the 21st century, whilst still raising the original dramatic poem’s question: Does a belief in individualism help or hinder us in trying to live purposefully in the present day? The students’ heads were spinning after the 3 1/2 hour production which raises some big questions about life!

Thank you to Miss Murrell for supporting us on the trip and to the A Level students who were exemplary and a pleasure to spend the day with! Good luck with your analysis now on what it all meant!

Miss Mack Head of Drama