Pictures from the recent Midsummer Nights Dream production

Drama

The Mount has a long and active history of drama, a memorable performance of ‘Macbeth’ in 1878 prompted Gerard Manley-Hopkins’ poem ‘Brothers’.  The performing arts remain popular today, both in and out of the curriculum,  and form an integral part of the school’s busy cultural life.

All students study drama in the lower school and the subject, taught by a team of specialists, is a popular option at both GCSE and A-level. In these lessons students are encouraged to express themselves whilst still focussing upon the craft of acting. The choice of texts is always designed to challenge students in such a way that they discover more within themselves than they knew existed.  There are regular theatre trips; recent excursions have included not only ‘The Woman in Black’ and ‘Enemy of the People’ in Sheffield, but also ‘Antigone’ in Manchester and John Godber’s riotous ‘Men of the World’ in York.

A significant number of students also take Speech and drama lessons to prepare for Lamda examinations. The results have been enviable in recent years, with many students achieving the highest marks in the most challenging grades.

Outside of the classroom there are a huge number of opportunities for students to be involved in ‘the magic of theatre’.  There is a least one major production each term and the distinguishing feature of Mount drama is its variety. We will perform almost anything, almost anywhere. Recent productions have included a punked-up production of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, a world premier, several student written pieces, one promenade performance and a musical. Over the course of the year there’s the opportunity for a quarter of the school to tread the boards. We also have state of the art sound and light equipment, operated by students and plenty of opportunity for them to become involved in all aspects of theatre design and organisation.

Check the calendar and come along to our next event – but prepare to be surprised!

Events for Autumn 2010

• Wednesday 24th November, 7.30pm - Sweet Charity
• Thursday 25th November, 7.30pm - Sweet Charity
• Friday 26th November, 7.30pm - Sweet Charity
• Saturday 27th November, 7.30pm - Sweet Charity