NLCS Performing Arts Centre Brochure

2015-2016

DRAMA DANCE MUSIC ART

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We would be delighted to welcome you to any of the events listed in this programme, and hope that you will enjoy the high standards and great enthusiasm the girls bring to these productions. Last year, North London hosted 40 shows and concerts, allowing our students to develop their many talents, performance skills and conďŹ dence to assist them on their pathway to becoming assured, well-rounded young adults.

For tickets to any event please contact the Performing Arts Secretary, Lyn Degnan, at ldegnan@nlcs.org.uk or on 0208 951 6369.

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CONTENTS DRAMA

2

DANCE

5

MUSIC

6

THE VISUAL ARTS

9

ADDITIONAL ARTS EVENTS

11

JUNIOR SCHOOL

12

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DRAMA THE MIDDLE SCHOOL PLAY: 18 and 19 November 2015 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

TWELFTH NIGHT ‘If music be the food of love, play on…’ The first line of Twelfth Night is now so famous, that is has even become independent of what is one of the best-loved comedy plays ever written. The Middle School Production will take us away to the beautiful land of Illyria, where we meet Viola who, after a shipwreck, has been separated from her twin brother Sebastian. Confusion reigns in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy about mistaken identity, exquisite music and the power of love.

ORIGINAL DANCE WORK BY SENIOR GIRLS: 10 December 2015 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

ALONE This popular annual event will draw on monologues from a variety of plays to provide inspiration for original work. Using a range of dance styles and physical theatre techniques students will perform solos, duets, trios and large group pieces in this highly unique, original and entertaining evening.

THE YEAR 13 STUDENT-DIRECTED PLAY : 28 and 30 January 2016 at 7.30pm in the Drama Studio The opportunity to direct a play of their choosing will be offered to Year 13 students. Previous productions have included a range of quality texts and have demonstrated the ability of our students to bring complex and challenging work to life.

THE SENIOR SCHOOL PLAY: 1, 2, 3 and 5 March 2016 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

THE REVENGERS’ COMEDIES Two individuals collide at midnight on Albert Bridge - the girl crossed in love, and a man who has lost his job - and, instead of jumping into the water as intended, they conclude a pact to take revenge on each other’s enemies. Premiered at the Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough, North Yorkshire in 1989, Alan Ayckbourn’s play is written in two parts with a different cast taking on the roles for each half. Audiences will be able to enjoy each part independently but will obviously be rewarded by seeing both. Combining Ayckbourn’s observation for detail, comic genius and social commentary, this looks sure to be a highly entertaining performance.

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DRAMA YEARS 7 & 8 PRODUCTION: 4 and 5 May 2016 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

ARABIAN NIGHTS It is the wedding night of King Shahrayar and in the morning, the new Queen Shahrazad is to be put to death like all the young brides before her. But she has one gift that could save her – the gift of storytelling. The young Queen tells a dazzling array of magical tales but will this be enough to save her life? A huge cast of Year 7 and 8 students will perform these mystical stories in a beautiful and exciting adaptation.

YEAR 12 MUSICAL THEATRE EVENING: 18 and 19 May 2016 at 7.30pm in the Black Studio This new event will bring together some of the most popular musical theatre numbers in a studio production. Audiences will be seated around candlelit tables to enjoy refreshments and music performed by the Year 12 students.

THE YEAR 10 SUMMER PRODUCTION: 28 and 29 June 2016 at 7.30pm in the Drama Studio

BLINK Phil Porter’s 2012 play, Blink, is the tale of Jonah, Sophie and a fox called Scruffilitis. It’s a love story. A dysfunctional, voyeuristic and darkly funny love story, but still a love story all the same. Year 10 students will experiment with style, and explore the complexities of the characters, Jonah and Sophie, in this thought-provoking and intriguing look at loneliness and love in the 21st century.

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DRAMA THE YEAR 11 PRODUCTION: Sunday 26 June 2016 at 5pm in the Drama Studio

BELINDA & HER INTENDED Mirroring the rehearsal routines of Shakespeare’s actors, students from Year 11 will have only one full rehearsal to prepare this play written by Deborah Gibbs, Director of Drama.

This comedy explores what happens when a family and friends are thrown together to celebrate Belinda’s engagement.

EDINBURGH FRINGE: Monday 22 August- Saturday 27 August 2016 After two highly successful visits to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2012 and 2014, Year 12 students will return again to perform at this prestigious and exciting event.

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DANCE 24 November 2015 at 7pm in the Performing Arts Centre

YEAR 7 DANCE DISPLAY Involving all students in Year 7, the annual Dance Display is one of the highlights of the Middle School Calendar. Girls take part in a variety of dances choreographed around a given theme or idea. This year, the inspiration is Artists. We will be performing a variety of pieces that reflect their work.

7 March 2016 at 7pm

SPRING TERM BALLROOM DANCING Following the success of the event a few years ago, Year 12 girls will once again join with Year 12 boys from another school for an intensive course of ballroom dance lessons culminating in a performance of newly choreographed routines based on different styles.

4 July 2016 at 7pm Sports Hall

WHOLE SCHOOL GYM & DANCE DISPLAY This innovative and impressive display brings together girls from Years 2 to 13. The show includes gymnastics, dance, cheerleading and trampolining routines. It is a wonderful opportunity for girls of all ages to perform together. Some of the most exciting pieces have been when a young First School girl performs with the Sixth Formers.

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MUSIC 8 October 2015 at 7.00pm in the Music School

IGCSE CONCERT Students taking the IGCSE music course have been working on writing two compositions as part of their examination submission. 11 students will perform one of their compositions on this evening and it is an exciting chance for them to hear their work presented in public for the first time.

15 November 2015 at 11.30am in the Music School

SINGING CONCERT This entertaining concert gives our talented vocalists in the Chandos Singers and students of Mr Caley the opportunity to perform in public.

22 November 2015 at 2.30pm in the Music School

PIANO CONCERT This popular annual concert will give students an opportunity to play solos and perform in ensembles.

26 November 2015 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

SENIOR CONCERT This concert will feature the Senior Orchestra playing two inspiring works: Dvorak’s 9th Symphony (New World) and Khatchaturian’s Waltz from the Masquerade Suite. The Senior Choir will perform an upper voice arrangement of Vivaldi’s Gloria which we intend to take to Venice in July 2016. The Chandos Singers and String Orchestra will also be performing at this concert.

30 November 2015 at 7.30pm in the Music School

FLUTE CONCERT (JUNIORS AND YEARS 10-13) The Flute Concert gives students of Mr Mitchell the opportunity to perform solos and participate in ensembles.

9 December 2015 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

MIDDLE SCHOOL FESTIVE CONCERT To celebrate the end of term, the annual festive concert will see a number of choirs, ensembles and the Middle School Orchestra playing a variety of both serious and lighter selections of music. Some of the musical items will have a Christmas theme.

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MUSIC 10 December 2015 at 2.30pm in the Main School

CAROL SERVICE Girls are invited to join the Carol Choir and take part in a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.

3 February 2016 at 7.30pm in the Music School

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT AND PRELIMINARY ROUND OF THE CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION The annual Chamber Music Concert will see performances throughout the Senior School of piano trios, quartets and other mixed ensembles. In a different format this year, a selection of these groups will be put forward to play at the South East Chamber Music for Schools, 1st round, later in the term. An external chamber music specialist will be invited to select the successful groups.

11 February 2016 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

SENIOR INSTRUMENTAL CONCERT This is a chance for all the many ensembles to perform in the PAC and will include the Senior Flute, Clarinet, Bassoon, Brass and Saxophone groups as well as the Soul Band.

28 February 2016 in the Music School Hall

CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION 1ST ROUND The first round of the Chamber Music Competition will take place at North London Collegiate School. Parents and friends are welcome to attend. North London groups selected from the preliminary concert will perform their repertoire and receive specialist coaching by professional chamber music players.

10 March 2016 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

SENIOR CONCERT This end of term concert will include the Senior Orchestra, String Orchestra, chamber groups and choir items.

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MUSIC 15 March 2016 at 7pm

CHAMBER MUSIC COMPETITION FINALS Finals of the South East Chamber Music Competition at St John’s Smith Square. (Music scholars are expected to attend this event.)

17th March 2016 at 1.30pm

CHAMBER MUSIC RUNNER UP CONCERT AT ST MARY’S CHURCH, HARROW ON THE HILL 20 April 2016 at 7.30pm in the Music School

CLARINET CONCERT This annual Clarinet Concert directed by Miss Gomm will feature over 40 clarinettists in various ensembles throughout the school in a celebration of the instrument.

17 May 2016 at 5.30pm and 7pm in the Music School

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOLOISTS’ CONCERT This is a wonderful opportunity for all Middle School students to sign up (no auditions) to play a solo in front of an audience.

There are two concerts to choose from.

16 June 2016 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

MIDDLE SCHOOL SUMMER CONCERT Our Summer Concert showcases the musical talents of Middle School girls and includes performances by the largest ensembles; the Chamber Choirs, Clarinets, Flutes and the Orchestra.

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VISUAL ARTS VENETIA NORRIS, ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE 15-23 October 2016 in the PAC Upper Gallery (Private View 15 October at 7.30pm).

Venetia Norris, our Artist-In-Residence for the summer term, will exhibit works which have been inspired by many aspects of the school’s environment, both visual and historical, and which evoke a strong sense of place. Venetia describes the process thus: “I created layered drawings that echo a sense of new and old. I wanted to produce work that had a real and tangible connection to the physical architecture. I took rubbings of architectural details of the old building and gardens. Being at this residency in spring allowed me to visit at a time when the blossom was in full bloom and framing the buildings. I drew blossom and other plants found on the estate upon the rubbings creating a conversation in lines. I chose bright and neon colours to communicate the energy and sound of the school”.

Please join us for a drink and an opportunity to chat to the artist.

THE FANTASY FASHION SHOW THE ART SOCIETY’S ANNUAL CHARITABLE SHOW 7 December 2015 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre This exciting event continues to raise money for KSDP a charity set up in memory of ONL, Stephanie Lee. Organised by The Art Society, the evening promises to be as vibrant and enjoyable as ever.

KSDP works with the Karenni people, providing basic needs and education in the smallest and poorest of the ethnic minority states in Burma. Around 23,000 Karenni people reside in camps in Mae Hong Son province. Some of these people have lived in camps for over 17 years; there are children who have never seen the outside world. The refugees are confined to the camp and they are not allowed to work, so they rely on support from humanitarian organizations. The charity fashion show, which is now in its 18th Year, involves girls of all ages who design, make and model an array of highly imaginative costumes.

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VISUAL ARTS PRE U, IB & GCSE ART EXHIBITIONS SUMMER TERM 2016 The Pre U, IB and GCSE Art Exhibitions are mounted towards the end of the Summer Term and the private views take place in the week of the Valedictory Assembly. Each year, the girls present coursework and final examination pieces for exhibition.

The range and quality of the work on show is always inspiring, and there is a chance to discuss the work with teachers and the girls themselves over drinks.

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ADDITIONAL ARTS EVENTS 15 October 2015 at 7.30pm in the Performing Arts Centre

YEAR 7 ARTS CELEBRATION Following the highly successful introduction of this multi-disciplinary event in 2010 for the first time the evening will bring together all Year 7 students for their own show. Consisting of performances of music, dance, and drama inspired by the theme Beginnings, once again we are very excited at the prospect of exploring so many different artistic elements in the wonderful environment of the Performing Arts Centre.

YEAR 12’S FESTIVE CELEBRATION: 1 December 2015 at 4.00pm in the Dining Hall

THE LIVABILITY PANTOMIME Each year, the residents of the Livability Home are invited to a Christmas celebration at the school, ending with this light-hearted and traditional excuse for some seasonal fun. Year 12 perform their own original work.

FOUNDER’S DAY: 18 March 2016

THE FOUNDER’S DAY PLAYS Throughout the school there are four separate, specially written, Founder’s Day Plays based on the theme for the Headmistress’s Founder’s Day Address. These performances by students in the Senior School, the Middle School, the Lower School and the First School, incorporate art, music, dance and drama in highly entertaining and innovative ways. Founder’s Day is an annual event which traditionally falls on the last day of the Spring Term.

SUMMER TERM ARTS FESTIVAL This new festival will bring together a series of exciting new events and opportunities including performances and workshops to celebrate and explore the wonderful and vibrant world of the Arts.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL 13 November 2015

YEAR 3 PRODUCTION Teambuilding and dramatic skills are our focus in Year 3, as the girls join together in this performance in the Lower School Hall, combining their acting and singing skills.

24, 25, 26 November 2015

THE FIRST SCHOOL PRODUCTION All the First School girls take part in our own musical adaptation of a well-known story. The First School Hall will be magically transformed as the setting for this year’s production.

3 December 2015

LOWER SCHOOL FESTIVE CONCERT Junior girls entertain parents with their voices, instruments and festive spirit in the Performing Arts Centre.

13 January 2016

YEAR 4 PRODUCTION The Year 4 production gives the Lower School girls the opportunity to hone their skills and perform a play in the inspirational setting of the Performing Arts Centre.

29 February 2016

INSTRUMENTALISTS’ CONCERT Chamber groups, ensembles and soloists perform for parents and friends on instruments ranging from trumpets and cellos to guitars and harps in the Music School Hall.

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JUNIOR SCHOOL 21 June 2016

THE SUMMER CONCERT The two performances of this themed concert involve all the Lower School girls in choral singing and orchestral music.

The Performing Arts Centre will be filled with parents and friends for this event.

30 June 2016

YEAR 6 PRODUCTION Year 6 girls have the opportunity to participate in a full-scale production in the Performing Arts Centre, consolidating their dramatic and performance skills before moving on to the next stage of their education. The Year 6 production has traditionally proven to be a wonderful way of showcasing their talents as they celebrate the time they have spent in the Junior School.

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Supporting North London The School is grateful for the support of parents, Old North Londoners and Friends of NLCS over recent years, whether for our Bursary Fund or for capital projects, including our Performing Arts Centre. This support has enabled us to offer a world class education to bright girls, irrespective of their social or financial circumstances. It also allows us to maintain and improve our facilities, and ensure that our students can enjoy access to the best possible environment in which to learn and develop.

For more information about how you might support North London, please contact the Director of Development, Deborah Sobel, at dsobel@nlcs.org.uk or on 020 8951 6376.

Canons, Canons Drive, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 7RJ www.nlcs.org.uk Email: office@nlcs.org.uk Senior School - Tel: 020 8952 0912 Fax: 020 8951 1391 Junior School - Tel: 020 8952 1276 Fax: 020 8951 1293 Bursary - Tel: 020 8952 7041 Fax: 020 8905 6979 Swimming Pool - Tel: 020 8951 5402 Registered Charity No.1115843

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