Drama

Drama

At Aysgarth, all pupils get a chance to shine at drama, with additional opportunities for those who display a passion for more. We greatly value the inner confidence and courage that arises from live performance – so all our productions are performed in front of an audience and recorded for parents unable to attend.

All children in the Pre-Prep take part in our Christmas Nativity in the Reynolds Hall Theatre, while in the Prep school, every student in Years 4-6 performs a play with their entire year group. Last year, Form 1 performed the National Theatre’s Emil and the Detectives, Form 2 delivered an original production of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol (adapted from the novella by Aysgarth staff), while Form 3 took on Macbeth.

For Years 7 and 8, drama becomes an optional evening activity, with rehearsals building up to our flagship production, the Senior Play (Disney’s The Lion King Jr last year, followed by Matilda the Musical Jr spring 2024).

We also offer a range of LAMDA lessons – with all Year 5 currently working towards a group qualification in choral speaking, an optional Shakespeare LAMDA award in Year 6, and the Seniors having the opportunity to tackle Grade 4 and 5 Solo Acting awards. Last year, a third of all our students in the Prep school took LAMDA exams, with 100% receiving merits or distinctions. 

At Aysgarth, students can take on a variety of non-dramatic roles in the Reynolds Hall Theatre – including as lighting technicians, sound technicians, prop designers, stage hands, vocal support for our musicals and also instrumental accompaniment. Last November, our Director of Music created a Year 5 band to accompany our production of the National Theatre’s I Want My Hat Back. Some of the 9- and 10-year-olds playing clarinets, cornets and trumpets had only started lessons at the beginning of the same term!

Recent alumni have earned prestigious drama scholarships at schools such as Stowe and Shrewsbury.