Drama & Theatre Studies Extra Curricular Activities

"Theatre is simply what cannot be expressed by any other means; a complexity of words, movements, gestures that convey a vision of the world inexpressible in any other way" Eugene Ionesco

Drama at St. Aidan’s is a high-profile and extremely popular extra-curricular activity for all ages. For Year 7, a drama club meets weekly after school, or as frequently as possible depending on the demands of GCSE and A level practical exams. With no previous experience necessary, this is an ideal opportunity to expand a circle of friends and work cooperatively whilst experiencing aspects of theatre performance.

A Christmas Carol - Tuesday 19th - Friday 22nd November 2013

Newcomers to the Sixth Form are warmly invited to audition on Friday 28th June. Anyone wishing to audition should register their interest by email no later than Friday 21st June to f.bray@staidans.co.uk click here to find out more.

We Will Rock You

The performing students of St. Aidan's did it again with their recent spectacular performance of We Will Rock You. Playing to a packed house each evening the acting, singing and dancing talent was phenomenal across the whole cast and the brilliant accompaniment by the orchestra, whose musical talent was as astoundingly high as ever. Recognition should also go to the technical team, who created visual aids far greater than those of any professional stage show. They were all the champions! Many thanks to all who ordered a DVD of We Will Rock You. Please be aware that our permission to film does NOT allow footage from the show to be shared in the public domain. Viewing is for private usage ONLY.

Journey's End

St Aidan's Drama Studio was transformed into the trenches of the First World War this month when The Bedlam Theatre Company staged their production of RC Sheriff's "Journey's End". The play is set in the trenches at Saint-Quentin, France, in 1918 towards the end of the First World War, and gives an emotional and intimate portrayal of the experiences of the officers of a British Army infantry company.

The Bedlam Theatre Company is organised and run by sixth-formers, under the guidance and mentoring of Head of Drama, Fran Bray. Student Tom Booth, who directed this production, explained the choice. He said "World War 1 - the 'war to end all wars' - is part of history, studied by teenagers not much younger than the men who fought and died in it. With a studio setting capturing perfectly the claustrophobic conditions of the dug-out, audiences really experience the humour, the courage and the frailty of the young soldiers as they reflect on what it may mean to come to their own 'journey's end'.

A talented ensemble cast and multi-tasking back-stage crew crafted a powerful and professional drama. To isolate any one individual for praise would conflict with the camaraderie that was so elegantly portrayed on stage, so simply a roll of honour for those that gave us an unforgettable evening - we salute you Tom Booth, Adam Chesnutt, Tom Carter, Angus Fisher, Phil Herbert, James MacCallum, Alfie Pitts, Douglas Robinson, Joe Stead, Jordan Smith, and Ed Whitaker. For information on future Bedlam productions email: bedlamtheatrecompany@staidans.co.uk

Every year we stage large-scale full school productions with open auditions for all parts. In recent years we have staged musicals such as Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast and West Side Story, and theatre including Twelfth Night and The History of Tom Jones. We have a justifiable reputation for professional, top quality productions.

In recent years we have taken a Year 9 Theatre Tour to London. The full week of activities includes three intensive days in the capital which are spent watching spectacular West End shows and participating in theatre and dance workshops led by the actors themselves. The week is rounded off with further workshops in school, with the chance to perform some of the routines learnt on the tour.

We have regularly taken part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, with students performing at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, in London’s West End and even 10 Downing Street!

Our Community Theatre Project involves students taking performances and workshops into local primary schools. This year, one performer could actually remember being part of the audience when we visited their primary school some years ago! The tour content varies from year and recent themes have been Aesop’s Fables; Myths, Legends and Fairy Tales; and Hiawatha.

The Bedlam Theatre Company is organised and run by sixth-formers and stages numerous studio productions throughout the year. Past shows have included After the Rain, 1984 and Our Country’s Good. They are also instrumental in our regular Comedy Nights.