WSFG at the Theatre!

We had a busy few weeks of theatre-going at WSfG. On 18th March, Ms Bradshaw organised a trip for her Year 10 GCSE Music students to see a schools’ matinée performance of Hamilton at the Victoria Palace Theatre, and I was lucky enough to accompany the group. We had excellent seats and thoroughly enjoyed this modern classic and the £1 ice cream at the interval! Thanks to Ms Smith and Mr Jalil for assisting us with this trip.

Hot on the heels of Hamilton came a Year 7 Drama Club trip to see Matilda on 19th March. We had quite an adventure getting to the theatre, with track failures meaning that we had to change trains several times. We missed the first 15 minutes of the show, but once we got there, we had a great time. The show still weaves its magic, largely due to the extraordinary cast of young performers. Thanks to the valiant team of staff who made this trip possible and had quite the ordeal on the way there: Ms Dominique; Ms Buchanan; Ms Wallace; Ms Robinson and Ms Hafiz.

This was followed by our third Old Vic Schools Club trip on 24th March, which offered a complete contrast to the productions we have seen so far as part of this incredible project. Having seen Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing and A Christmas Carol, this new translation of Sophocles’ Oedipus could not have been more different. We were bowled over by the visual elements of this production and by the spectacular choreography of the chorus by Hofesh Shechter. It really was quite an experience. Thanks to Mr Caps, Mr Jalil and Ms Dowling, who helped staff this trip. They were somewhat muted in their response to the show, but the students loved it and declared it the best Old Vic Schools Club production they have seen so far. This group of 30 Year 9 students now has one remaining show and workshop, and we will be sad when this experience comes to an end.

Last up, on 27th March, Year 10 Drama GCSE students went to a schools’ matinée of Tina. We were inspired by the story of one of the music industry’s great survivors and most energetic and charismatic performers. This show leaves you on cloud nine and singing ‘Proud Mary’ all the way home.

Ms Cornford

Head of Performing Arts