In addition to its place in the curriculum, Drama involves all year groups in performances throughout the year and, together with music, contributes much to the ethos of the school. The theatre visits enrich the curriculum and provide extra- curricular activities for the pupils and students.
Theatre visits have included such venues as the Theatre Royal at Bury St Edmunds, Theatre Royal at Norwich, Cambridge Arts Theatre and The Globe Theatre at Bankside in London.
'A' Level students have watched performances such as Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Mary Wives of Windsor and Twelfth Night, as well as John Arden`s `Sergeant Musgrave's Dance'. For their own production this year they performed `Teechers' and 'Dancing at Lughnasa' as part of their 'AS' Exam.
The school production in March 2006 was 'Joseph and His Technicolour Dreamcoat'. This played to packed houses and was given a standing ovation.
In March 2007 the school presented Les Misérables (School Edition) was the largest musical venture ever undertaken at Hartismere and we thank everyone who supported us and made it a success. With its technical complexities, the mammoth backstage team for this production had to build and manoeuvre barricades, Paris streets, public houses, fenced courtyards and flying bridges! Nevertheless, the production was highly successful and standing ovations were once again received. The talented cast that performed in this production had to really act their characters in ways that rarely before had been seen.
'Oliver' was notable for the double casting approach taken to enable to maximum number of students to take part. This made the 2008 production a huge success and something of a landmark. It also promised much in terms of the future with a greater umber of younger students successfully auditioning for parts.
'West Side Story' saw the School take on another challenging score, but 2009 saw another great success with sell-out shows and for the first time ever a five night run.
In 2011 we were taken "Back to the 80's", which brought a multitude of colour and fantastic music.
Both staff and students are now looking forward to this years production, which is set be another fantastic show for all involved!