It is a real privilege to be part of the St Mary’s drama department. The amount of guidance and skill that is taught is outstanding. Almost every girl throughout their school life takes part in some form of theatre, from watching productions to performing on stage. The teachers have a very professional, yet friendly approach towards the girls and the drama taught enables one to stretch their ability and to become more confident. 

 

In the course of the year there are many important events such as the senior and junior productions, including plays and musicals, whole school productions, the drama captain’s play and the Trinity Guildhall exams. Many girls take extra drama lessons and perform in ‘Shakespeare in the Garden’ and the whole of Year 8 present abridged plays by Shakespeare to their parents.

 

Theatre trips are organised to exciting venues such as the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company at Stratford upon Avon, the Globe Theatre, the Donmar Warehouse and the Royal Court Theatre. These opportunities allow girls to explore a vast array of theatre and playwrights from Greek Tragedy to Shakespeare.

 

The House Drama Competition gives the lower sixth girls a chance to create and cast their own piece of improvised drama. All members from each house across all the year groups have the opportunity to perform in front of the entire school and to be judged by an industry professional, competing for the House Drama Cup. This event allows the girls to interact with different year groups, resulting in close bonds and friendships. On the night of the competition, the atmosphere at St Mary’s buzzes with excitement and anticipation.

 

There was further excitement in April 2009, when the Rose Theatre was finally completed! After a two year wait, the girls of St. Mary’s were awed by the facilities now available to them. They include: a drama studio, two green rooms, storage for costumes and props, the Jubilee bar, exhibition space for artwork, and of course, the main auditorium. Just like a West End theatre, the main auditorium is equipped with catwalks for lighting and an advanced technical booth, not to mention unique adjustable seating with the option of allowing the audience to view a performance on one, two, or three sides of the stage. For example, Antigone was performed with the audience seated on two sides of the stage, whereas Little Woman was staged with the audience only in the main seating area. Other events that have occurred in the Rose Theatre’s first year alone comprise: the upper sixth cabaret, the Ascot Old Girls Association Mary Ward celebration day, morning prayers, GCSE/A-Level drama examinations, and an Open Day gala performance. This was especially memorable, thanks to our guest of honour, the actor Rufus Sewell, who officially opened the theatre for St. Mary’s.

 

Drama remains incredibly popular at St Mary’s and being Drama Captain of the School I am proud to say that I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in all of these events.