Dulwich Puts The “Shake” Into Shakespeare

How amazing were senior school students on Wednesday night? For those of you who were lucky enough to watch our senior school production this year, I think you will agree that your children took the Twelfth Night - and made it their night.

From the audience perspective, they looked like they had so much fun with the story. This is fantastic because I’m sure you will agree, Shakespeare does not present as an easy language task for young students. It is challenging to decipher the language and meaning of a Shakespeare tale. And then to bring emotion to that language – those pauses for dramatic effect, those witty punchlines, and the art of the ridiculous – as I watched our senior school students perform, I really felt that they took this complex comedy, and they “owned it”.

As the Deputy Head of Senior School, there were many elements about Wednesday night that I was proud of, and I wish to share those here with you.

Showing Up and Shining.


I was proud of our students who had previously shared how difficult it was to remember their lines, and the storyline. And to understand the language, and how to creatively express the meaning of it. And to be on a stage pulling it all together…they took risks and they delivered brilliantly.

Friendship and Teamwork.


I think Twelfth Night was a great success because the students and teachers completely respected each other and understood early on in their production schedule that they had a common goal to achieve. When people are working together to create a cohesive piece of work, bonding is inevitable! And with that comes a lot of fun. From front of house, to behind the scenes, we really got a sense of how much fun the students had creating their show.

The Bonus Points.


Many of our students who participate in drama will not go on to become professional actors, designers, or technicians. But what they will get are so many other important life skills which they will use in their everyday lives, no matter what career they decide to pursue in the future. We can see how performing arts helps students to understand how to appraise situations, think outside the box, and be more confident going into unfamiliar situations. Students learn to trust their ideas and abilities. The confidence our students gain from learning performing arts skills will apply to their other lessons, in school, in jobs, in life.

Bravo!

Kelly King
Deputy Head of Senior School