Drama
Drama at MPS… Well, where do we start? Firstly, it is not all about performance. Our approach is to encourage every child to value and appreciate freedom of expression, to gain and build their self-confidence and to promote opportunities for teamwork and creativity through the media of Drama.
Every pupil in Years 5, 6, 7 and 8 receives one time-tabled period of Drama from one of our three specialist teachers and every pupil is given the opportunity to take to the stage at some point in the year. As well as curriculum Drama there is a range of clubs: Years 7 & 8 recently enjoyed a ‘Drama Comedy Club’, there are Drama clubs for all year groups and a ‘Technical’ club working on stage design, lighting, sound and stage management.
Exciting times are ahead with our newly refurbished Assembly Hall theatre where the major productions take place. We also have the opportunity to use the professionally-run Meyer Theatre at Millfield School.
Our major Drama productions seek to achieve excellence. In December Year 8 took on the huge challenge of performing Return to the Forbidden Planet with pre-recorded footage and computer images enhancing the live action. Last year the intriguingly entitled Hamlet – the Pantomime was the senior play. While for those in Year 6, last year’s production was the outstanding Twelfth Night and this year they will stage a junior version of Pirates of Penzance. Years 3, 4 & 5 produce a variety of productions from Nativity based performances, to evenings of poetry and song to a Drama production at the end of the Summer Term.
Not content with all this, the school also offers individual Speech and Drama lessons taught by specialist tutors. These pupils have the opportunity to enter local festivals, include those at Bath and Taunton, as well as taking LAMDA Examinations in the Summer Term.