The 2018 Fourth Form introductory showcase was well attended by parents, staff and students, who all flocked to see an evening of variety and fun. Performances ranged between Shakespeare, musical theatre, murder mystery and thought provoking drama, demonstrating the fantastic new cohort of talent in this year’s Denstone drama GCSE students.
The evening kicked off with The Murder Hotel, a mystery thriller set at a Halloween Ball. The group experimented with stage space and machinery such as our new gauze curtain, to keep the thrilled audience guessing until the hilarious and grizzly end!
After a rousing monologue from Julius Caesar, performed by Fifth Former Phoenix Pate as part of our between the acts performances, Paddy’s Pub had viewers in stitches with its exaggerated, character driven farce set in an Irish pub during storm Dave. The group created some fantastically well timed comic moments, expertly underscored with an impressive range of sound and lighting effects. This was a great introduction for the students to the capabilities of our drama facilities here at Denstone College.
Tristan Hood’s memorable version of Baggy Trousers segued into the final performance of the night Detainedin which the performers explored the real reasons that young people might have for playing the fool at school. This emotional and thought provoking piece left the audience feeling at once moved and immensely proud of our talented students’ insight into social and psychological issues affecting vulnerable young people.
All in all the project was a great way to challenge and stretch our incredibly promising cohort of young actors, as they embark on what is bound to be a very successful and entertaining drama GCSE course!
