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2009 Magazine Report – Drama Department
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In the Autumn term, Year 9 gave Putney Park Drama an impressive start. They performed their deeply moving devised work on Remembrance Day for the inspector. 9A all looked smashing in their 1940’s pencil skirts and soldier uniforms and danced with style to the strains of Glenn Miller while 9b took us all into the misery and horror of the trenches. The assembly concluded with some very moving group choral work as both classes recited “In Flanders Fields” ...continued below.
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In the Spring Term, we were able to have our first GCSE performance for the moderator, in our own studio. Thanks to the FOPPS who financed the lighting and black-out curtains we now have a wonderful space for Drama. The current year 11 students performed “Heroin Lies”. This chilling story follows the tragic slide of the 15 year old middle-class Viki towards drug addiction and the impact this has on her family and friends. This intensely moving performance was seriously and brilliantly undertaken by our young actors with a stunning performance by Rozina as Viki.
Years 7, 8 and 9 had a great deal of fun preparing their medieval mystery plays for the Easter Pageant. Each class was given a reading from the bible and asked to write a script and prepare and present their play. It was indeed a delight to see how the girls used their imagination and drama skills to create original and entertaining pieces of theatre. Mrs Mann who saw all the plays was very impressed with the results and asked the year 9 girls to present their plays on the last supper and the crucifixion of Christ at the final assembly.
As part of Drama we try to see as many professional productions as possible. Some of the performances we saw this year were Oliver, The Woman in Black, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Teachers and West Side Story.
The Summer term saw the two Year 7 classes put together their first devised piece of theatre. Their topic was “Secrets”. Again it was very gratifying to see the girls using their drama skills and learned devices to create unusual and entertaining theatre and present it with confidence.
However for most year groups, the major thrust in the Summer term was the Senior School production of The Lion , The Witch and The Wardrobe. Nearly all Year 8 and year 9 students were in the cast plus the current year 10 GCSE Drama girls. It was a huge undertaking by all. As well as class time, the students rehearsed after school and on weekends – a major commitment which all came together in a wonderful week of rehearsals at Roehampton University.
This collaboration between the Drama Department at the University and Putney Park School was a great success. We are so grateful for this wonderful opportunity. The university’s technical team gave us tremendous support and enjoyed working with the students. The feeling of ensemble and “team spirit” which developed during the week and the building of self-confidence and skills showed the huge personal and educational value derived from undertaking creative projects of this sort and taking them to the highest possible standard. I was immensely proud of all the girls both backstage and in the cast for their commitment, hard work and undeniable talent. Many of the Year 9 girls who took part are continuing on with GCSE Drama – and so we continue to build a vibrant and exciting Drama Department.
Mrs J Black
Head of Drama
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