Thursday evening in the Hub was the place to be as nearly fifty enthusiastic Speech and Drama Training pupils, aged from Year 4 to Upper 6, came together to perform poetry, prose and dramatic
scenes. Greeted by the mellow sounds of the grand piano provided by Theo Tendler, the growing excitement was palpable as parents, grandparents and children settled in their seats.
Following Miss Tendler’s welcome, Year 5 pupils Nyah H and Amara J launched the programme with a scene from ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time’ by Mark Hadden. A variety of work then followed including pieces from Helen Edmundson’s latest adaptation of George Eliot’s ‘The Mill on the Floss’ performed by Latifa B and Ella E from Year 6. The Allan Ahlberg poem, ‘Parents’ Evening’ with Olivia M and Imogen K from Year 4, Daisy S(L4) and Sude T from Y5 brought back memories for many.
Aivy T(Y5) dressed up as an Astronaut to perform her Grade 2 poem ‘The Letter A’ by Darren Sardelli. There were also some prose selections from ‘The Twits’, ‘Matilda’ and ‘The Girl of Ink and Stars’. Sumeyye T and Nadine M rounded off the first half with
one of their Grade 5 syllabus pieces, ‘Out on a Limb’ by Emma Gordon.
After the interval, we were treated to some comedy works by Amanda Whittington and Victoria Wood, with Malka L, Emilie J, Lucy S and Olivia S, ably sustaining and executing the northern dialect. The penultimate performance was presented by Maya P, who delivered an excellent portrayal of Pip in ‘Things I Know to be True’ by Andrew Bovell, one of her three scenes for Grade 7.
Miss Tendler ended by introducing and acknowledging the dedication of Ariella G(U6) who has participated in Showcase since Year 3. Ariella achieved distinction for Grade 8 Speaking Verse and Prose last March and challenged herself to Grade 8 Acting in March this year. She performed a thought provoking portrayal of Leah from ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly.
Grateful thanks go to everyone who supported the event – family and friends who watched the performances, the reprographics, the senior school office team, events and site teams – as well as Mrs Tendler and the talented pupils themselves.
