The Drama Department at Sherfield is an exciting and fun place to experiment and explore ideas, theatrical styles and the possibilities of performance and production. Much of what we do is pupil-led and, we believe, this results in fresh, creative and original theatre.
Here there are many diverse opportunities for pupils to engage with curricular and extra-curricular Drama. Curricular Drama is provided to all from Year 1 through to A-Level; with regular workshops with professional theatre and film practitioners. Pupils are offered the chance to study all aspects of Drama and Theatre from performance to the design and production of technical aspects; such as lighting, sound, costume and set.
The Performing Arts Department is equipped with professional lighting and sound desks, radio mics, wrap around curtains and versatile staging. We are also very focussed on giving pupils the chance to enhance their skills in collaboration, problem solving, creativity, adaptability and devising.
"Drama is a calling card for Sherfield. This year’s musical, School of Rock, was evidently a massive success (all the pupils I spoke to mentioned it) and it is great to see how student-led the drama offering is. From choosing the play itself to choreography, lighting and set design, it’s all done by the kids in an impressive purpose-built theatre. This means that pupils who may not see themselves as performers still get to play a huge part.
The ultra-enthusiastic head of Drama, Mr Reynolds, is a brilliantly Glee Club-esqe and is clearly a favourite."
Maya Boyd, Muddy Stilettos Reviewer, May 2020
In lessons, pupils are introduced to a wide range of dramatic styles, texts and will study them in relation to their cultural and historical context. They will acquire the knowledge, skills and concepts to enable them to experiment with performance; creation and devising of their own work being central to Sherfield’s philosophy. An emphasis is placed upon speaking and moving with fluency and clarity of intention; pupils are encouraged to respond critically to their own work and that of others.
Historically we have entered the ISA Drama Festival and have been lucky enough to win awards for best production and best performance. We are a LAMDA examination centre and have a variety of pupils who already hold a number of awards. We continue to offer this service and enter pupils for a number of disciplines.
Productions
Pupils at Sherfield can take advantage of opportunities and perform in a wide variety of shows throughout the year. It is expected that our Drama scholars take a lead in the whole school productions and showcase their talents whilst inspiring and coaching other pupils. This year we have staged School of Rock and Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. To enable pupils to have access to a professional theatre experience Sherfield’s senior school theatre company have staged their last 5 productions at the Haymarket Theatre in Basingstoke. These have included School of Rock, Holes, The Wizard of Oz, Oliver! and The Tempest.
Previous productions in the Courtyard Studio Theatre at the school include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Our House, Little Shop of Horrors, Pack Up Your Troubles, Oh What a Lovely War, Avenue Q (School edition) and Macbeth. We have also premiered several plays that have been commissioned especially for Sherfield School; including Roald Back, The Journey Back and The Lost Last Page of Peter’s Book.
Each year the Performing Arts Department endeavour to dodge the weather and stage promenade performances; enabling the audiences to explore the lake, the woods and the Topiary garden all within the picturesque grounds. These include The Jungle Book, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, Wind in the Willows and The Bear Hunt.
Theatre Trips
Each year all pupils have the opportunity to attend live theatre productions. Recent trips have included Quiz, School of Rock, War Horse and A Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time in the West End and Little Shop of Horrors, Frantic Assembly’s Othello, A Christmas Carol and The Reduced Shakespeare Company’s The Complete Works of Shakespeare at local theatres including Haymarket in Basingstoke, the Nuffield in Southampton, The Salisbury Playhouse and The Lights in Andover.
For more information please click here to visit the Sherfield School Performing Arts Website.