By Mrs Horton (Drama Teacher)

On Tuesday 3rd October, Year 10 Drama Students were given the amazing opportunity to take part in a three-hour workshop led by two actors from Theatre De Complicite, the world-renowned devised theatre company.

The workshop was incredible; leading the students through a series of acting games which were designed to be fun to play, engage the ensemble in working together. They had to  establish a universal physical and vocal language which was unique to this group and set up a benchmark for theatre making for the rest of the workshop.

The practitioners then led the Year 10s through Lecoq’s 7 levels of tension which vary from “catatonic” (the absence of any tension, where you can barely lift your head to move) all the way to “tragic” (your whole body is filled with tension which renders you barely able to move because you are so rigid). The students enjoyed exploring the extremes of physicality their bodies were able to achieve using this simple, but effective structure.

Finally, the students used all the techniques they had learnt so far in the workshop to devise two original pieces of drama from two different stimuli - a picture of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper, and five frames of New York. The quality of the end pieces was fantastic with great attention to detail and a wide range of technical skills evident.

Imogen Blower reflected: “It was a very helpful experience in which I was able to use my knowledge of theatre and biology of my body for the better. A very fun and different way of looking at the arts”. Thank you so much to Jack Harrold and Deshaye Gayle for sharing their expertise with us!

Mr Stratton (Director of Dance and Drama) said: “This activity and learning will very much benefit the students as they progress through the course toward their Devising drama non-examined assessment in the Summer Term.”