Drama and Theatre Studies

Course summary

Francis Holland School hosts one of the finest Drama Departments in London. We believe Drama fosters community and facilitates communication. It is a space in which young people, through the power of language and image, can come to know themselves and others better. Drama is a thriving and busy department where girls are encouraged to work creatively to explore a plethora of theatrical styles and genres. Girls are inspired to explore drama through different periods and cultures with an understanding of traditional and contemporary techniques. There is a strong emphasis on ensemble-based work, alongside an understanding of the technical and design aspects of Theatre. Collaboration is at the heart of all that we do in the drama department, and this has cultivated a supportive and friendly environment where girls can explore theatre and the dramatic arts. In 2023, the Carmel Hall rehearsal space was upgraded with colour and light wash lighting, a new lighting desk, tiered seating, microphones, professional theatre curtains and much more. The Carmel Hall Black Box Studio Theatre, for which it is now known, has transformed the quality of our in-school productions and is allowing pupils to gain invaluable experience in production, design, lighting and many other technical elements of theatre. We follow the AQA A Level Drama and Theatre Studies course. This emphasizes the role of the actor, director, and designer throughout both years. There is a balance of written and practical work with a final written paper at the end of the course. Pupils emerge with a strong sense of how to make innovative and engaging theatre. Component one asks pupils to explore two texts from contrasting periods and genres in practical workshops applying performance theory. Currently, girls study the classic play texts, Jerusalem by Jex Butterworth and Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker. Component two asks pupils to devise a performance as part of an ensemble. This is centred around a specific practitioner. Currently, girls have enjoyed applying the techniques of Alecky Blythe, focusing on Verbatim theatre. Unit three allows pupils to study three extracts from three different texts. These are all studied practically leading to a performance in front of an external examiner. Girls consistently attain the highest grades in A Level Drama and Theatre Studies. Many students who have studied A-level drama have since gone on to study Drama at University and at some of the country’s finest drama schools.