Drama continues to shine at all levels at Rydal Penrhos Senior School.

One of the most prestigious areas of Rydal Penrhos is within its Performing Arts provision. This plays a vital role in the overall development of pupils young and old, building confidence and composure in addition to enhancing wellbeing in a structured setting.

Things have looked a little different from an educational standpoint during the autumn term and into the New Year thanks to the current COVID-19 restrictions implemented by the Welsh Government. However, this has not stopped teaching staff from adjusting to the current climate and ensuring that each pupil at Rydal Penrhos suffers as little loss of learning as possible during such a difficult time.

Drama pupils are another fine example of this, with those under the Key Stage 3 bracket and above benefitting considerably from a vast and varied series of activities that inspired creativity and brought out the very best in them all.

Year 8 explored Melodrama throughout the autumn term, which culminated in all of them performing a short, scripted piece that went down extremely well with the limited people in attendance due to social distancing measures.

They also had plenty of fun working with Trestle Masks, learning the skills of a masked actor and finding out more about what it takes to make a successful career in this particular discipline.

Year 9 spent time exploring the GCSE text DNA by Dennis Kelly, resulting in a performance of the script. This showed a maturity beyond their years and will stand those who want to take Drama in Key Stage 4 in extremely good stead over the next two years.

The ever-popular Year 7 Drama Club generated some tremendous momentum before the second educational lockdown, which is held during Rydal Penrhos’ designated extra-curricular time at the end of the day and featured drama games, building key skills and creating short improvisations.

In addition to these activities, pupils have been given special access to live and pre-recorded theatre, with Year 7 watching an online pantomime, Year 8 taking in a virtual production by Vamos Theatre and the examination classes in Key Stage 4 and 5 watching numerous National Theatre productions as well as from the Barn Theatre, Splendid Theatre Company and Frantic Assembly.

The current lockdown has forced pupils and teachers to approach their learning in a different way, which involves exploring thought-provoking topics at Key Stage 3 such as:

• Greek Theatre (exploring choral speech, creating masks)
• Commedia Dell Arte (exploring its history and key characters)
• Verbatim Theatre (script writing and devising a short performance)

GCSE and A Level candidates will continue to explore texts such as An Inspector Calls, A View from the Bridge, A Taste of Honey, Woyzeck and An Accidental Death of an Anarchist, which will ensure all required knowledge has been acquired in readiness for their eagerly anticipated return to Rydal Penrhos and face-to-face learning.

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Anyone wishing to enquire about Rydal Penrhos School can do so by calling 01492 530155, email admissions@rydalpenrhos.com or register your interest online here: https://rydal.wpengine.com/admissions/apply-now/