DRAMA

GCSE Drama Workshop with Tash from Mousetrap Theatre Company

On Tuesday 17th May, GCSE Drama students took part in a workshop based on Devising Theatre with Tash from Mousetrap Theatre Company. The purpose of the workshop was to work on their devising techniques with two objectives: to explore innovative ways to devise short performances using everyday objects such as a feather, a bin bag and a handkerchief, and to reflect on the puppetry they saw in “Life of Pi” and to make puppets out of newspaper come to life.

Review from Rhianna from GCSE Drama:

Overall, this workshop was useful. It explored drama in a way that we had not necessarily used before and it was very engaging. The workshop taught us a lot about devising and thinking outside the box. For example, we had a bandana in the centre and were told to pretend it was any object. As we went round we all came up with unique ideas. For example, someone made a ring, a hat, a table and another person made it into a pillow. We continued working on this and had to create this into a scene without speaking.

Another activity was when we split into groups. We each had an object. Two groups had a feather, two groups had a bin bag and the last group had a paper aeroplane. The idea was that we had to come up with 3 words that our object made us feel or think of. Using those 3 words we had to create two movements. We only had 60 seconds to come up with one set of movements. This ensured that we didn't focus or think too deeply into it and just did what felt right for us. Once we had our two movements we showed and gave feedback as a group. The last activity was creating animal puppets out of newspaper. My group made an elephant out of newspaper with several body parts. This looked realistic and effective due to the way they all moved together and how we worked together as a team.

I feel like everyone enjoyed the workshop as it showed us all how quickly something can be created and make realistic with your group. It also helped people get used to working with people they wouldn't necessarily choose to if given the opportunity.

MUSIC

The Music rooms have been named

Our music practice and class rooms have been named based on who we believe has had an influence on music throughout time and how those musicians have displayed our LAB values

LAB Presents ‘Matilda the Musical’!

Wow, what a show! 50 LAB students in the cast and crew worked tirelessly after school to bring you the most sensational production of Matilda last week. Based on Roald Dahl’s classic, the show is packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs. The audience were delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination. We were delighted to be able to welcome an audience to watch our talented performers bring the show to life. To see so many students on stage focusing and producing such incredibly high level work whilst really enjoying themselves was heart-warming. There were so many happy students and parents and lots of incredibly positive comments afterwards. The front and back stage students were a credit to us in Performing Arts and to our school, we are so very proud of you all.

Students across Y7-10 have joined Ms Kalnins to create a Technical Crew for the Matilda show this July. They have set up the control room from scratch which now includes brand new sound and lighting equipment.

In our lighting department, Keiziah and Damien have been working hard to design our lighting for the show, while Ella-Jae and Zahara have set up 8 brand new radio mics for our actors, with Elijah ensuring sound levels in the theatre are balanced. Behind the scenes, Ruby has been running logistics, ensuring everything runs smoothly and keeping spirits up over the walkie talkies. In the costumes and stage departments, Oisin, Troy, Evie and Jan are responsible for ensuring all costumes, props and staging are in the right place at the right time.

Watch this space for news of our next project in Performing Arts!