A Level and GCSE Drama students got vital practice for exams and a taste of how drama school feels on Harrodian Drama department's intense residential weekend
On the 18-19th January 29 Harrodian Drama students from the 15s and the Lower Sixth took part in a residential weekend in Hampshire devoted to improving their acting skills and preparing for the practical section of their exams. Led by Harrodian Head of Drama, Michael Glen, the trip began with an inspiring workshop created and managed by theatre company Frantic Assembly, which introduced students to the demanding physical craft of working on stage.
Its remoteness means there are no distractions. The students do 15 hours of rehearsals, three weeks’ worth of lessons, in two days
Mr Glen, Head of Harrodian Drama
An intense programme of exercises and rehearsals devised and supervised by Mr Glen and his Drama team colleagues followed which focused on honing students’ techniques and performance and their grasp of their GCSE and A level Drama texts.
We rehearsed our A Level text in four different ways. We were all exhausted by Sunday but I loved it and I’ve learnt so much
Bella, A Level Drama student
Mr Glen, who led the first Harrodian Residential Drama weekend this time last year, believes that the grand but isolated character of the venue chosen for the trip – Rookesbury Park, a former stately home and private school near Portsmouth – is key to the effectiveness of the initiative. ‘It’s a big place in an inspiring setting, full of great spaces in which to rehearse,’ he says. ‘And its remoteness means that for the weekend there are no distractions. The students do 15 hours of rehearsals, three weeks’ worth of lessons, in two days.’
A Level student Bella who attended both Rookesbury retreats, believes the weekend’s intensity is priceless. ‘We rehearsed our A Level text, Ibsen’s, A Doll’s House, in four different ways: immersive, physical, naturalistic and political,’ she explains. ‘We were all exhausted by Sunday but I loved it and I’ve learnt so much.’
Mr Glen admits there is a bit of room for extracurricular fun in the timetable. ‘On the Saturday we staged a game of ‘capture the flag’ and on Sunday morning, I led a yoga half hour for those who were up early,’ he says. ‘But essentially this is a weekend when nothing else matters but the work we’re doing. I think it gives students a real taste of what it might feel like to be training to be a professional at drama school.’
It gives students a real taste of what it might feel like to be training to be a professional at drama school.
Mr Glen