Drama at Durham School
Drama at Durham School has a long and distinguished tradition. It is centred at the Luce Theatre, a versatile space that has housed many different types of production and is now the base for curriculum drama lessons. Musicals, comedies, farces, costume drama, sketch shows and tragedy all have their place here. The Luce Theatre was totally re-furbished and its technical provision upgraded in the Summer of 2006.
Our Productions
There are many opportunities for pupils to develop their interest in Drama. As well as the annual main school production (sometimes, but not always, a musical), there is a junior production for pupils in Years 7 & 8 and a very popular House Drama competition, including a short play by Year 9 pupils and a senior contribution. Recent major productions include Grease, Les Misérables, The Comedy of Errors, The Crucible and Pride and Prejudice, an outdoor production of A Midsummer Night's Dream (specially adapted for Durham School by Mike Gibson, Head of Media Studies) Much Ado about Money (written by a member of staff) and Teechers (performed by Year 12 Drama students).
Technical and Backstage
Lighting, sound, set design, costume and make-up are essential to any successful production and are just some of the many ways in which pupils can be involved behind the scenes. Some pupils, whilst having a keen interest in drama, prefer to help in this way rather than tread the boards themselves.
Theatre trips
We are fortunate to have the Gala Theatre on our doorstep in Durham City and also to be so close to several top class theatres in Newcastle, Darlington and Sunderland. There are frequent visits to the theatre for all ages to see both Drama and Dance. The most recent were to see The History Boys by Alan Bennett and Shakespeare's Macbeth performed by Theatre Babel. In August 2007 a group of pupils enjoyed a week's residential visit to the Edinburgh Festival.
Visiting Companies
We recently began a programme of inviting in professional companies both to perform their shows and to give workshops to our pupils who benefit greatly from such experience. Our first company was Tangled Feet, a Physical Theatre Company who performed Lost Property.
Come and visit us
If you would like to observe a Theatre Studies lesson or a drama rehearsal or come to any of our productions, please contact Mrs Diane Woodlands (Admissions Secretary) on 0191 386 4783 and she will be delighted to help you.
Curriculum Drama
Drama is taught to all pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9 as part of the curriculum. Here we cover many basic skills and lay a firm foundation for the GCSE course, should the pupils decide to choose Drama.
GCSE Drama
GCSE Drama was introduced into the curriculum in 2005. We are currently following the Edexcel syllabus - a course with a heavy emphasis on practical drama.
AS Drama
AS Drama (Edexcel specification) was introduced for pupils in the Lower Sixth in September 2006.
Recent Productions
- 2003 The Crucible
- 2004 Les Misérables
- 2005 The Comedy of Errors
- 2005 Pride and Prejudice
- 2005 There's More to Life than Death
- 2006 Bouncers and Shakers
- 2006 A Midsummer Night's Dream
- 2007 Much Ado About Money
- 2007 Teechers
- 2008 Godspell
Future Productions
next event
Year 12 anti-bullying talk
Tuesday, 07 October 2008
More forthcoming events.
recent news
Durham School Comedy Club are having a laugh!
Young drama enthusiasts perform to raise money for World Challenge adventure
Read more recent news.
photo gallery
See more photos of the senior school in the photo gallery.
Testimonials
"I have seen my son develop into a nice person and I genuinely think the school has had a lot to do with that. He has made some really nice friends who we hope will become lifelong friends. After attending confirmation classes in the school chapel, he was baptised at Durham Cathedral - an occasion his father and I will never forget. "
Mrs Rich (son, Year 12)