Drama Performance
While Drama lessons play an important part in teaching the necessary skills and in deepening boys’ appreciation of the text in hand, Drama is supremely about performance.
At Queen Elizabeth’s School, our calendar is populated with extra-curricular opportunities for boys to display and develop their talents in Drama, whether their gifts lie in appearances on stage, or in the many vital supporting roles behind the scenes.
In the Shakespeare Schools Festival towards the end of the first term of the academic year, boys have the chance to deepen their knowledge of Shakespearean language as they get to grips with the histories, comedies and tragedies of England’s greatest writer.
The School Play, which is staged close to the Easter holiday, brings the opportunity to explore the work of more recent playwrights and novelists in a full-length production, offering large numbers of opportunities for boys of all ages to get involved, both on and off the stage.
The inter-House Drama competition of the Summer Term brings boys’ creativity and teamwork to the fore – and adds a little competitive spice, too – as mixed-age teams compose, act and direct their own original works, battling it out before their peers to win QE’s thespian crown.
For QE’s senior actors who have demonstrated consistent commitment and accomplishment in Drama and have assisted in nurturing the skills and talents of younger boys, the School now awards Drama colours in the form of special ties.
Mark Thomas - Actor and student director
"My journey through drama at QE has been one of experiences I will keep with me for life. I have been given the privilege of playing Blind Pew(Treasure Island), The Fagin (Oliver Twist), and Shylock (The Merchant of Venice), as well as a number of other roles. I have always tried to embody this same spirit and passion for acting in every performance I give.
"As the end of my time at QE draws closer, I find that directing is the way that I would like to give back to the department. I was one of three student directors for last years H.G. Wells trilogy and then had the great opportunity of directing our version of Henry V for the Shakespeare Schools Festival."
Akram Ahmad - Technical team
"My first experience with the lighting department was in Year 7, when I was taking part in the inter-house drama competition. I could never have predicted so many doors being opened for me both within and outside of school – be it programming lighting routines for music concerts, or being granted the opportunity of operating the vast set up at the ArtsDepot for the Shakespeare Schools Festival.
"I can proudly say that I am a part of the drama department at QE, and each performance, no matter how stressful it may be in the run-up, is an adventure in its own right. With each performance, I meet a new cast of gifted actors and outstanding directors, who each play a part in one of the most talented societies within the school."
