Hartismere School

Each year, Year 10 GCSE drama pupils take part in a Theatre-in-Education style project called the Hartismere Theatre Workshops. 

The project’s aim is to introduce Year 10 GCSE drama pupils, some of whom have never performed to an audience before, to the workings of a professional Theatre-in-Education Company, which is to be under the management of the pupils themselves. This year the cast performed to over 300 Hartismere pupils from Years 7 and 8 and to over 350 pupils from our primary feeder-schools, and two performances to friends and families, in just over a week.

The cast also put together most of the costumes and props and were totally in control of the drama workshops for the primary school audiences. Pupils were also responsible for the lighting and sound design; photography students were busily snapping pictures of the cast during rehearsals and performances and Mrs Smith and her Food tech pupils kindly provided refreshments including delicious cupcakes and brownies.

This year, audiences enjoyed the magic of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory including breakdancing grandparents, giant squirrels doing the Cha Cha Slide and a whole-audience conga! (you had to be there!) We were also delighted to receive some fantastic theatre reviews from the primary schools. 

 The performance of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ was put together in just 11 Drama lessons during the autumn term. The pupils succeeded in formulating a cross curricular bond between all involved, providing entertainment and a shared learning experience to others, and proving that by working as a team, together they can achieve good and worthwhile things.

Mrs Davy

Coordinator of Drama & Theatre Studies