By Mrs Horton (Drama Teacher)

On Monday evening, our GCSE and A Level Drama students embarked on an unforgettable trip to Soho Place Theatre to watch the highly acclaimed production Kyoto. This experience not only broadened their theatrical horizons but also deepened their understanding of the impact that propaganda can have on human ability to reach unanimous agreement.

From the moment we arrived at the stunning Soho Place Theatre, London’s newest and most innovative performance venue, there was an air of excitement. Students were immediately struck by the in-the-round stage configuration and contemporary styled set design, which perfectly complemented the immersive nature of Kyoto.

The play itself was a masterclass in storytelling, blending cutting-edge technology with powerful performances. The production’s themes of environmental responsibility and human connection resonated deeply with our students, many of whom found themselves reflecting on the ways theatre can be used to address urgent global issues. The excellent use of projection, combined with outstanding acting and the sense of audience participation throughout was compelling to watch and all the students were enthralled.

Overall, the trip was an enormous success, leaving students both inspired and motivated for their own upcoming performances. Witnessing a production of such high calibre has reinforced their passion for drama and given them fresh ideas to explore in their own work and gave them invaluable material to elevate their live theatre evaluations in their GCSE and A Level.

We look forward to many more theatrical adventures and cannot wait to see how this experience shapes our students’ work in the months ahead!