By Mrs Horton (Drama Teacher and Director of Peer)

In the busyness of the end of term, our Years 7 and 8 students provided a much-needed energy boost in their outstanding production of Peer.

Adapted from a five-hour epic poem written by Henrik Ibsen, Peer was a longstanding goal for myself and our department to stage. The production team, made up of performers and theatre crew, collaborated effectively over many months in rehearsal showing impressive focus and creativity. This commitment resulted in a performance that was an auditory and visual feast; comments from audience members have suggested that the students presented as performers much beyond their year.

Peer has been a long process; I began adapting  and writing the script in September, auditions took place in the Autumn Term and finally, rehearsals started in January. Throughout the project the students involved presented themselves as ardent professionals; even creating a flash mob to promote the show within the school community. This forward-thinking and proactive approach percolated into the rehearsal room and we were thrilled to have the students make creative decisions and show autonomy in creating character and producing the very many idiosyncrasies that shone through in the performance.

Mr Stratton, (Director of Dance and Drama) said: “It was fantastic to see, yet again, BGS students taking on roles backstage, on stage, and front of house. All students came together under the expert direction of Mrs Horton to deliver a professional standard, imaginative and breath-taking production. I’d also like to acknowledge the work of our theatre technicians, Miss Elsom and Miss Middleton, for their excellent work and support of our design focused students. Once again, a real team effort.”

Congratulations to the cast and crew of the 2023 production of Peer; you are superstars. 

Glowing audience feedback included:  

“Amazingly quirky, creative and clever! So much enthusiasm and talent from students, both onstage and backstage. Well done to all involved.”

“A wonderful and very entertaining show! Well done everyone, we thoroughly enjoyed it.”

“There were some amazing performances and great characterisation. We laughed out loud and almost cried at some parts. The students put in such hard work and commitment. Well done to Mrs Horton and all concerned.”   

You can view photos from the dress rehearsals here.

Our next production will be the Years 11-Upper Sixth show Daisy Pulls It Off by Densie Deegan; performance dates are scheduled in November 2023. Further information will be announced in October.