Drama is central to the lives of many students at King Edward’s School and our extensive co-curricular programme involves hundreds of students both on and off the stage.
There is an opportunity for all to get involved and we aim to foster a lifelong appreciation of drama and performance.
Our vibrant performing arts programme includes around 20 annual productions, providing ample opportunities for students to showcase their talent and technical skills. Held at our Ruddock Performing Arts Centre, these productions benefit from industry-standard facilities, accommodating over 400 attendees.
Junior Production
Junior Production
The Junior Production features between 50 and 100 students and is an intense experience. Run in conjunction with KEHS, this fully-staged production takes place each November and recent performances have included Little Women, Goodnight Mister Tom, Roald Dahl’s The Witches, CS Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and Charles Dickens’s classic A Christmas Carol, which celebrated iconic pieces of literature, bringing them to life on stage.
Senior Production
Senior Production
The Senior Production is always a major highlight of the school calendar and provides another opportunity for up to 100 students across both KES and KEHS to take part in a fully-staged production. In recent years, we have produced a wide variety of productions, from the enchanting musical A Midsummer Night's Dream to the cult classic Little Shop of Horror. We have also staged Tony Award winning musical Chicago, Arthur Miller's masterpiece The Crucible, a devised production of Wuthering Heights, and Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing.
Drama Clubs
Drama Clubs
Run at lunchtime in conjunction with KEHS, there is a Drama Club for every year group in the School. Through looking at drama games, devised work and play texts, the clubs are a relaxed and enjoyable way to develop confidence and skills. Each club presents one public performance to peers and parents every year.
Stage Crew
Stage Crew
Available as a Friday afternoon activity for boys in Year 10 to 12, Stage Crew is a practical theatre option that is fundamental to the work of the drama department. Run in conjunction with KEHS, Stage Crew sorts out all of the production elements seen during school performances, not only for the Junior and Senior Productions but also for all Drama Club performances, and those that are part of the GCSE, IB and A Level courses in both schools.
Syndicate Play
Syndicate Play
Following the end of Sixth Form exams, students from both KES and KEHS get together to produce their own dramatic production without direct staff involvement. Students use the knowledge and skills that they have gained and developed over the years to mount their own production, which can sometimes be as ambitious as an entire musical requiring a full band and musical director.
LAMDA
LAMDA
Students can also gain LAMDA qualifications, enhancing their performing arts education and personal growth.