Our drama boys recently had the privilege of participating in two enriching workshops that have significantly enhanced their theatrical skills and understanding.
Mastering the Art of Mime with 3dumbtheatre
The first workshop, conducted by the talented Stephen Smith at 3dumbtheatre, focused on the intricate technique of mime. Aimed at improving the boys’ miming skills, this session was particularly beneficial for those working on their GCSE devising pieces. The workshop emphasised the importance of simplicity in theatre, teaching the boys that a clear and straightforward approach helps the audience better grasp the narrative. This lesson has been invaluable, especially for those writing scripts for their GCSE projects. By avoiding over-complication, the boys learned to convey their stories more effectively, ensuring their performances are both engaging and comprehensible.
Remove Former James Angus reflected, “The mime technique was particularly useful, as I have incorporated it into my GCSE devising piece in multiple scenes. This has been beneficial to our piece as it has helped us to add depth, and further develop our piece.”
Exploring Verbatim Theatre with Alecky Blyth
The second workshop was an exciting session on verbatim theatre, led by the renowned playwright Alecky Blyth from The National Theatre. Known for her acclaimed works such as London Road and Our Generation, Alecky introduced the boys to her unique method of verbatim theatre. This technique involves actors wearing headphones and listening to interviews while onstage, then repeating the words with a slight delay. This approach allows actors to immerse themselves fully in the situation, capturing the nuances and emotions of the original speakers.
The boys in the Drama Society found this workshop to be incredibly inspiring. They described it as “a truly inspiring start to verbatim theatre” and noted how it was “interesting to learn about staying focused on the interview while also matching the small details in the voice.” Alecky’s session was a hit, with every boy leaving with a newfound curiosity and enthusiasm for this form of theatre. They had the opportunity to act out 16 different interviews, each filled with a sense of humanity and realism that brought the stories to life.
Fourth Former Joseph Lucas summed up the experience, saying, “Alecky had truly given the society an invaluable Friday lunchtime of which every single member agreed that it was quite simply brilliant with everyone leaving with a smile on their face and a curiosity for this new type of theatre we haven’t explored in great detail yet.”
These workshops have not only honed the boys’ skills but also broadened their understanding of different theatrical techniques, preparing them for future performances and projects. The Drama department looks forward to many more enriching experiences that continue to inspire and educate our budding thespians.
Head of Academic Drama, Mrs Antoinette Keylock explained, “’We were delighted to host Alecky again. She visited the school about eight years ago and boys are devising using her techniques this term, so we asked her to return. She is the UK expert on verbatim theatre; her play London Road will be coming to the National Theatre in the summer. We are very lucky to have such strong links with this professional.”
