Drama at Trinity

Lucy Robinson, Director of Drama

Drama in the classroom continues to thrive, with more students than ever electing to continue their study of the subject when it becomes an option. For J-bugs, First and Second Year, they study a new topic every half term, with student favourites including puppetry, Lord of the Flies and Antigone. For these students, exploration of Drama is almost entirely practical, with elements of script work developing their understanding of characterisation, and devising opportunities instilling in them traits and insights that prove invaluable at exam level.

At GCSE and A Level, students are assessed in practical performances of classic and contemporary texts as well as the creation and performance of original pieces of theatre inspired by a choice of stimuli. We continue to be astounded by the powerful work students create, as they often draw on their acute interest in current affairs to imbue their plays with political and social relevance. At A Level too, students create their own original plays in the style of a practitioner, recently choosing the methodologies of Complicité, Punchdrunk and Paper Birds to inspire their work.

Tamsin Reeve, LAMDA Teacher

In the past five years, the number of Trinity students pursuing LAMDA qualifications has grown from 5 to more than 30. Students who are keen to develop their performance skills and public-speaking skills are excelling with over 90% achieving distinctions up to Grade 8. Those who have pursued LAMDA qualifications have gone on to study a diverse range of subjects at university including Music, Engineering, Art, English, and Architecture. The appeal of the courses is their wide-ranging application to everyday situations, and while the classes are still taught on a predominantly one-to-one basis, students are often supportive when they realise a form member is also taking classes, or when a peer has received an outstanding grade, or when occasional students have been invited to perform at the annual Drama Scholars Showcase. There are now similar numbers pursuing communications qualifications and performance qualifications, and LAMDA students seem to have many strings to their bows.

Exams are happening throughout the year in Central London, and while many LAMDA students are often involved both onstage and backstage in school productions, it would be wonderful to see more becoming involved with the Mitre Players. It was lovely to be performing alongside a couple of LAMDA students in the recent Mitre Review – some in their first and second Mitre productions, whilst my own involvement stretches back to 2005. The society is not only open to the current and old students, but to their families too.

Chris Chambers, Head of Drama Productions

An ambitious production of Shakespeare In Love in the autumn brought together students from across the school community to tell this tragi-comic tale in epic style, with live music and exceptional performances. A huge set, with walkway and Juliet balcony was built on-site and students had a hand in every aspect of production. The assistance of alumni and volunteers with links to Trinity have been crucial in delivering this scale of production –particular thanks to ex-Head boy and Treasurer of The Mitre Players, Alan Bishop (Lighting and tech!) and Di Jones (Costume and encouragement!). Both have helped on a number of productions in recent years, and I am glad that this has led to some crossover between the school’s keenest drama students and The Mitre Players.

For the Mitre Players’ 50th Anniversary Revue, Musical Theatre Club students (Ashvin Jeyanandhan, Ethan Thorne, Barney Sayburn, Senaya Wimalisuriya) rehearsed a selection of songs from alumni Colin Warnock’s musical repertoire and performed at the TMWA clubhouse as part of The Mitre Celebrations.

Two students from the Lower Sixth, Barney Sayburn and Robert Wilding, wrote and performed their own play, Letters of Last Resort for The Southern Counties Drama Festival at The Barn Theatre, Oxted. The play, starring Amare McDonald, was set on a nuclear submarine and explored the highly charged subject of what to do in the event of a nuclear attack when all communications are cut off. Barney and Robert, the writers, both received a nomination for The Adjudicator’s Award. The Mitre Players entered the same festival with Isla, with Mitre actor David Morgan receiving a nomination for Best Actor.

In spring 2023, our production was Holes, featuring students from the Middle School. The performances and dedication of students highlighted the exceptional talent coming up through the school as they dealt with the complex themes and settings with admirable maturity.

Last spring, the Mitre was transformed into the abandoned house of Medea, telling the story of the eponymous character’s unthinkable revenge in response to her husband’s betrayal and deception. Starring a talented Chorus of Sixth Form girls, this production was harrowing and powerful in equal measure.

And this summer the Lower School took to The Mitre Theatre stage, to perform in Lord of The Flies.

Look out for the autumn term’s musical spectacular of The Wizard of Oz . . .

For tickets book here: The Wizard of Oz Tickets, TCH in the round, Croydon | TryBooking United Kingdom