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"Habs gave me the freedom to explore." |
Jack Lang, Entrepreneur in Residence, The Judge Business School, Cambridge University. |
The Drama Department
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Habs has a long tradition of excellence in Drama and school plays have always been a major fixture in the school calendar. Drama as a discrete subject can also be taken to GCSE level by boys in the Middle School and Theatre Studies AS and A level is offered in the 6th Form. Boys who opt to take the subject at examination level study all aspects of practical theatre from the perspective of the director, designer & actor and are taught the principles of lighting, sound, set, costume and theatre make-up. The schools own theatre technician provides expert support in these areas as well as overseeing set construction and prop-making for both classes and school productions. |
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The department takes full advantage of the proximity of London
and there is a considerable programme of visits every term to plays in the West
End, the South Bank and the London Fringe. Productions seen last term include
39 Steps (Criterion Theatre);
Glass Menagerie (Apollo Theatre); The Man of Mode, Coram Boy, Happy
Days, (all at the National Theatre) and the breathtaking promenade
production of Faust by Punchdrunk Theatre at 21 Wapping Lane. There are three major productions a year. The Senior Play is performed for four nights at the end of the Autumn term in the Bourne Hall, and there is a Junior & a Middle School Play at the beginning and end of the Summer term respectively. The last two productions general take place over three nights and have their performances in the smaller Drama Studio |
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| The Bourne Hall is the venue for performances of the Senior Play and is one of only five school stages in the country equipped with a fully operational fly tower above the acting area allowing for spectacular effects and changes of scenery when required. There is a permanently gallery which seats 180 and flexible raked seating for up to 300 downstairs. Occasionally this is reconfigured to allow for productions to take place 'in the round'. | ||||||||||||
| The school was one of the first in England to enjoy the facilities of a purpose built Drama Studio in addition to the main school stage. The 2004 Senior Play - The Crucible - was performed in the Drama Studio and the thrust arrangement of the auditorium added enormously to the intensity of the production. | ||||||||||||
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Images from the production of "The Crucible"... |
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| All GCSE Drama classes and A level
Theatre Studies lessons are taught within the Drama Studio which is equipped
with the very latest in computer operated sound and lighting equipment. In
addition, a comprehensive wardrobe and a well stocked prop and furniture store
are available for use by students. The last senior play - Macbeth - was directed by Head of Drama, Tim Norton. This was the first all-male production of a Shakespearean Tragedy at the school for over 40 years. Over 40 boys were involved in the production, operating lighting, sound and stage machinery as well as stage managing and performing. |
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Images from the production of "Macbeth"... |
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| For most productions we combine with the Girls' school: in 2003 the musical "Bus!" involved over 60 boys and 60 girls and a 1926 double-decker omnibus! |
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| This year's Junior School play was The Mysteries, directed by Nicki Heinen and Matthew Wright. Each of the four plays was performed in a different location around the school - both inside and outdoors - the audience carefully led to each venue by a host of Medieval guides. | ||||||||||||
| Images from the production of "The Mysteries"... | ||||||||||||
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Rehearsals are currently underway for
the Middle School Play "Wind In The Willows". Directed by
Jeremy Cox and performed in the woods and water gardens in the
school grounds, this promises to be one of the highlights of the
end of term.
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