Drama

The Drama Department is an active, flourishing department at The Oratory School. With a plethora of actors, directors, designers, technicians, stage managers, and academics, there is something for everyone here. 

Drama and Theatre offers a practical and challenging course of study, which encourages pupils to develop and apply an informed, analytical framework for making, performing, interpreting and understanding Drama and Theatre. It gives pupils the opportunity to understand the place of relevant theoretical research in informing the processes and practices involved in creating theatre and the place of practical exploration in informing theoretical knowledge of Drama and Theatre. Pupils are expected to develop an understanding and appreciation of how the social, cultural, and historical contexts of performance texts have influenced the development of Drama and Theatre, as well as to learn the practices used in 21st Century theatre-making. Pupils will experience a range of opportunities to create theatre, both published text-based and devised work, and participate as a theatre maker and as an audience member in live theatre.

Pupils should be able to work collaboratively and demonstrate a range of theatre-making skills, showing creativity and independence in order to become effective theatre makers.

Mr Jonathan Bonnett - Head of Drama

Pupils in Third Form have Drama lessons once a week. Here, the focus is on an introduction to basic dramatic techniques and conventions. Aims are to develop teamwork and public speaking skills, as well as introducing key concepts from Theatre History, to better prepare the pupils to take up GCSE Drama.

GCSE

GCSE Drama fosters candidates’ creativity, personal growth, self-confidence, communication, and analytical skills through the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and understanding, and the exercise of the imagination. It promotes pupils’ involvement in, and enjoyment of, drama as performers, devisers, directors, and designers. It provides opportunities for pupils to attend professional and community dramatic performances, and to develop their skills as informed and thoughtful audience members.

The Eduqas GCSE in Drama is an exciting, inspiring and practical course. The course promotes involvement in, and enjoyment of Drama, as performers and/or designers. Additionally, it provides opportunities to attend live theatre performances and to develop skills as informed and thoughtful audience members.

Course Content Assessment

Devising Theatre Component 1 (40%)

Performing from a Text Component 2 (20%)

Interpreting Theatre Component 3 (40%)

Beyond the Course:

The Eduqas GCSE in Drama offers a broad and coherent course of study which enables learners to:

apply knowledge and understanding when making, performing and responding to drama;

explore performance texts, understanding their social, cultural and historical context including the theatrical conventions of the period in which they were created;

develop a range of theatrical skills and apply them to create performances;

work collaboratively to generate, develop and communicate ideas;

develop as creative, effective, independent and reflective learners able to make informed choices in process and performance;

contribute as an individual to a theatrical performance;

reflect on and evaluate their own work and that of others;

develop an awareness and understanding of the roles and processes undertaken in contemporary professional theatre practice;

adopt safe working practices.

A Level - Drama and Theatre

There are regular theatre trips, usually to London. Productions seen include Hamlet, As You Like It, Hedda Gabler and DNA.

We have a flourishing LAMDA programme with two dedicated LAMDA teachers offering solo tuition. Our results in these examinations have been outstanding.

There are many opportunities for students to perform at the Oratory. If they are not involved in LAMDA, GCSE or A Level Drama performances, students in 3rd Form and above can participate in the main school production in Lent Term. There is also an inter-house Drama Competition. The pupils in St Phillip House can take part in a production in Trinity Term.

We currently have one major senior school production taking place each year. Most recent productions include Amadeus by Peter Shaffer and The Musicians by Patrick Marber. There was also a junior house play in the past summer term, The Lord of the Flies.

There is also a Drama club that focuses on improvisation techniques.