Link Letter - March 2002

01963 32368

THE NATIONAL THEATRE AT KA

On Thursday January 31st King Arthur’s played host to the RNT Touring Company and their production of Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. It is one of his later, dark plays posing questions about the morality of leaders, the administering of justice and what part mercy plays in executing the law as well as the issue of hypocrisy. Y10 and 11 drama students have been studying the play this term in preparation for this visit by the RNT and will be using these themes to produce a piece of improvised work for GCSE.

The production was an interactive, promenade performance, involving the audience in the world of the play and stripping away the barriers between the actor and the audience. One hundred students from KA and Ansford were involved and thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

It was a very intimate performance and the students responded with enthusiasm and thoughtful contributions especially in the discussion session. The actors commented that the attitude of the students was the most enthusiastic they had encountered on the tour. Many stage-struck students took the opportunity to find out about the best paths to take to achieve a career in drama and one hopefully has secured a work experience placement in July with the RNT. Eight Y10 students also learnt that a RNT actor’s life is not all glamorous by helping as gophers, bringing in and setting up the set and removing it at the end of the day. Perhaps breakfast with the actors was a fitting reward!

All in all, an enjoyable and valuable day.