Blogs at Dauntsey's School

Bogged down with exam revision and other commitments reporting our class activities has been slow

BUT HERE I AM WITH AN UPDATE!

Mama Wilson has given us our first insight for what to expect for excitement ahead. SUSPENSE… Next year our class will be (hopefully) jumping into the “TOUR BUS” and heading on our great adventure to perform a Christmas Piece to A group of Children In recent lessons we have been exploring (though unlucky, neccessary) ideas which could then be brought into our final performance

These ideas have included SCHMOO the ,politically correct slightly overweight looking, robin who cannot fly and goes on journey of intense aerobic workouts to lose weight and win the tital of “SANTAS HELPER”
Also a spoilt child who cannot get her way with presents at christmas learns her lessons of “PLEEASE” and “THANKYOU".. also interacting with an (interesting) mum who constantly silences her partner AND NOT FORGETTING SANTA AND TIMTOM!

We are currently working on another small devised piece based arround children’s christmas books acting as our stimuli. These are still developing and I look forward to the performances next week.

I’d Also like to mention the Drama Exam which approaches for 4th form in a weeks time and wish everyone luck. KEEP REVISING

Signing out..

PADDY

Tensions are high in the drama department, what with the numerous rehearsals, rigging of lights, set building, props making, sound sorting and other such theatrical elements that goes with any show here at Dauntsey’s, and things become a tad stressful. All very well, but throw in the fact that there are 13 different shows over the period of three weeks and it becomes that of a manic juggling act of time, spaces and people!!
But despite this, the department is handling it well and there are still smiles to be seen. Everyone has been so patient and helpful, so a big thankyou to all who have been involved, and to those who really have gone the extra mile- we simply would not be able to do it without you wonderful people.
We’re over half way now, on the home stretch you could say, so keep up the good work guys and good luck to those who are to perform over the next week and a half.

I have exam fever… literally, I am running a temperature and I have a sore throat. I am not the only one, two of the students I have taught today are ill, and we havent even got into running the shows yet…. or are we just being Dramatic?

As Mr H understates, there are approximately 50,000 shows on in the next few weeks, so the department is, as ever alive with electricity and coffee.

Its very interesting for me to be working on all of my GCSE shows, as they are all such completely different pieces of theatre - one is set in a trench, one is set in hell and the other is set in a birdcage… as you can see, naturalism is my passion.

They are all shaping up nicely, with some truly yummy performances coming through. However, as usual, lines continue to be a problem, as the students try to juggle this ‘revision’ with that of all their other subjects. They have been very exciting people to work with over the last two years, and I feel a certain soppy attachment to them as they are one of my first classes who I will have seen through their entire qualification here at Dauntsey’s. Some of our 5th form are leaving for pastures new, some have simply chosen not to include Drama in their school careers next year(fools), either way I will be very sad to see them go. Still, enough of that, we have shows to do!

So, come on guys, get your lines, work hard and be proud of your final pieces. Cant wait for our ‘puck - nuck’!

Miss W

P.S I have been reduced to hitting Mr H with silk gloves when feeling under pressure, however I would like to point out he probably deserves it.

I have exam fever… literally, I am running a temperature and I have a sore throat. I am not the only one, two of the students I have taught today are ill, and we havent even got into running the shows yet…. or are we just being Dramatic?

As Mr H understates, there are approximately 50,000 shows on in the next few weeks, so the department is, as ever alive with electricity and coffee.

Its very interesting for me to be working on all of my GCSE shows, as they are all such completely different pieces of theatre - one is set in a trench, one is set in hell and the other is set in a birdcage… as you can see, naturalism is my passion.

They are all shaping up nicely, with some truly yummy performances coming through. However, as usual, lines continue to be a problem, as the students try to juggle this ‘revision’ with that of all their other subjects. They have been very exciting people to work with over the last two years, and I feel a certain soppy attachment to them as they are one of my first classes who I will have seen through their entire qualification here at Dauntsey’s. Some of our 5th form are leaving for pastures new, some have simply chosen not to include Drama in their school careers next year(fools), either way I will be very sad to see them go. Still, enough of that, we have shows to do!

So, come on guys, get your lines, work hard and be proud of your final pieces. Cant wait for our ‘puck - nuck’!

Miss W

P.S I have been reduced to hitting Mr H with silk gloves when feeling under pressure, however I would like to point out he probably deserves it.

Well done to everyone involved with Romeo and Juliet. It was a stunning performance, which was, as intended very accessible. There were so many lovely performances that I won’t name names, however you should all be exceptionally proud of what you have achieved. The music was beautiful and set the moods of the scenes whilst still being gorgeously organic.

As Mr J says, the ‘George’s’ discussion was fairly lively, with much passionate debate surrounding the nominees - a sure sign of the huge range of talent that has been showcased this year.

Charlie is moving along with much sweet and sickly speed, we will hopefully have blocked the whole play by today, and should be able to polish, polish, polish next term. There are some lovely performances coming through, and hopefully lots of line learning and character building over the Easter. The oompa loompa’s are buzzing with energy and creating some lovely work, with Flora at the helm. Well done to the chorus who have been really patient at long rehearsals where they simply hold up their hands and wave them about - it’s going to be worth it guys…. you get to be squirrels!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the hard work so far, rehearsals will step up a gear next term, so attendance needs to be excellent…. keep it up!

Miss W