CO-CURRICULAR PROGRAMME DRAMA There are many opportunities to be involved in Drama at Royal Russell, both on and off stage. DRAMA COMPETITION Our annual competition sees all nine Houses entering a team for the coveted first place. The students choose from one of three stimuli set by the department. Whilst the performance element is limited to Years 7-9, each House has its own production team, drawn from all year groups. The students are responsible for scripting, performing, directing and costuming their own piece; they also have to decide on all their technical elements and in many cases run the lighting and sound for their team. The Competition is adjudicated by an external judge. In previous years, we have had directors who have worked with the National Theatre and who have run their own professional performance companies as well as those who are examiners for practical Drama. LAMDA DRAMA CLASSES Lamda classes run all year and there are two sessions; one each for lower and upper school. Students have fun honing their acting skills. There is also the opportunity to take graded exams in devised group performances and as a solo performer. SCHOOL PLAY Every year, we put on a whole school production with performers from Years 7-13 and a total student team of around 80 pupils. The production element of these shows is run by student led teams with support from the Drama Department. Previous productions have been Coram Boy, The Wind in the Willows, Grease, The Importance of Being Earnest, Return to the Forbidden Planet, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Shakespeare meets Glastonbury and last year Animal Farm. MUSIC If you’re coming to Royal Russell and play a musical instrument, you will be most welcome in the Department. For those who play an ensemble instrument at any level, you can be part of our training band, our orchestra or our Swing Band. For those of you who sing, you can be part of our Choristers, Barbershop, or Chamber Choir. Instrumental lessons are on offer to all (at an extra cost), and we cater for beginners all the way through to advanced players. There is a fantastically resourced department with plenty of rooms (including one which remains open all weekend for boarders), should you wish to come and do some private practice, or even just have a jam session with a few friends. We also offer music scholarships and details of these are available from the Director of Music.
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