Drama

Drama at the Cathedral School seeks to develop confidence, coordination, imagination, mutual respect and understanding.

For Infants and Juniors, lessons are practical and incorporate lots of team building warm up games and exercises. Pupils are encouraged to express their own ideas and opinions freely and to listen courteously to others. Most lessons incorporate improvisation exercises which culminate in end of session performances to the rest of the class. Pupils learn to assess their own and their peers' work constructively with respect.

Performance work is encouraged throughout the year in class work, assemblies, services, concerts, and larger productions. Participation is open to all, both for performers and backstage and technical crew.

The Drama department works closely with the Music department. During the past year the Nursery and Infants have produced Harvest Festivals, Christmas Concerts and Nativity plays, a variety of assemblies, Summer Concerts and a nursery graduation ceremony. The Junior Section have worked on Harvest and Christmas services, a Drama Gala Evening and an energetic and very professional production of Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.  Planning for next year is already underway providing  opportunities to showcase and nurture the pupils' various skills and talents.

Drama in the Senior Section of the school gives an opportunity for pupils to work together through a range of both traditional and modern genres.  Using a range of theatrical techniques within the creative environment of the well equipped Roald Dahl Studio; we aim to stimulate the pupils' imaginations and help them to gain confidence in their own performance skills.

All pupils in Year 7 are taught Drama.  In Years 8 and 9, pupils can choose Drama as one of their options.  In Year 10, pupils can opt to study Drama at GCSE level.  The course is entirely practical, though all practical work must be supported by a written logbook and portfolio.  Pupils are given the opportunity to study from the perspective of the Director, Deviser, Designer and Performer, a wide range of topics and plays.  These will vary and be appropriate to each group.   Coursework forms 60% of the course, whilst the practical examination known as The Realisation Test, forms the other 40%.

Pupils in the Senior Section are given the opportunity to experience a wide range of plays at a number of different venues.  Recent examples include Animal Farm, Godspell, The Almond and the Seahorse, Blood Brothers and Wicked.

The next academic year promises to be exciting in terms of Drama Productions.  In December Year 10 and 11 will be putting on a production of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot.  The Lent term will see another Gala Evening and the Summer term promises to be an exciting time with discussions as to the title of next year's musical firmly under way.  Global Rock will run as an additional after school activity over the Michaelmas and Lent terms.