An extraordinary highlight of last week’s Performing Arts calendar was the magnificent two-day residency by the renowned Red Leap Theatre Company. Our pupils were granted a rare and inspiring insight into the world of professional physical theatre, working alongside practicing artists to discover new realms of dramatic creation.

On Monday, Senior School Drama pupils engaged in an intensive, highly energetic series of practical workshops designed to furnish them with a robust toolkit for devising original work. These sessions provided invaluable foundations for their upcoming GCSE and IB coursework performances, empowering pupils to approach their practical assessments with heightened confidence and artistic depth.

Throughout the day, pupils explored the unique creative methodology of Red Leap. They learned how the company approaches the generation of theatre, transforming small, succinct physical tasks into rich, multi-layered dramatic material. By understanding how to compose these elements into meaningful stories, pupils gained a profound appreciation of how to craft compelling narratives for audiences around the world.

The company then worked with over 60 of our Prep School pupils in Years 7 and 8. Through a series of dynamic drama exercises, pupils gained a deeper understanding of the importance of characterisation, learning how to express emotion and intent within themselves. They were then introduced to the captivating world of physical theatre, exploring how to transform their bodies into imaginative landscapes and treat physical movement with the precision of puppetry. It was a truly exhilarating experience for our younger performers.

The residency proved to be an immensely enriching experience across the board. Our pupils left not only inspired by the artistry of Red Leap Theatre Company, but equipped with new techniques and creative confidence that will undoubtedly illuminate their future performances.

Elise Chambers, Director of Drama