Y8 enjoyed a ‘pared-down, intense and urban production’ of Shakespeare’s last play, featuring stunning contemporary African dance choreography. It was a powerful, passionate, and magical performance and this is what Holly thought:

‘When I went inside the theatre, I knew it was going to be a good play. The small theatre in the centre of Hertford has been known to put on impressive productions and today was no different. The foyer smelt of coffee and I thought it was a welcoming feeling. When we went to get our seats, there was an exciting atmosphere in the air. The play started with someone playing a fast, dramatic beat on the drums and then two Ariels came out and, doing quick dancing, symbolised the tempest Prospero was making by acting like fire. I was especially impressed by the music and the sounds because I thought they worked really well with the story line.
There were a few changes, for instance: Trinculo was played by a woman instead of a man (which was actually quite funny) and you never see the King of Naples, Antonio and Sebastian. I think that the story was still told moderately accurately, but I would have liked the story line to have been a bit more clear. My favourite part was when Trinculo went under a blanket with Caliban because she wanted to take cover. It looked very funny! Another part I enjoyed was how Caliban spoke in Malawi and English so you had to look at subtitles to know what he was saying!’

The English Department organises regular trips to see productions that relate to the curriculum. We are lucky enough to have great theatres like the Cambridge Arts Theatre and ADC theatres in Cambridge. The college theatre productions are also a great resource, (Pembroke College being a very vibrant local choice,) as are regional theatres such as Hertford and Harlow.

Y7 delivered a great rendition of Ibsen’s ‘Peer Gynt’ to parents yesterday. Peer and his mother Åse are left to live in poverty. Peer wants to restore what his father had wrecked, but gets lost in boasting and day-dreams. This tale of self discovery and forgiveness is not an easy script to interpret but pupils did a commendable job and this is what they thought of the play!

‘I am playing Ase, Peer Gynt’s mother, in the play. I think, even though not many people have heard of her, Ase has a very meaty part! She gets to shout at her son, Peer, and then immediately she has to sob and cry about how terrible her life is, how Peer is so weak, how he lies too much; how, later on in the play, she has nothing left and how Peer is an outlaw. I think this play combines comedy and tragedy very well.’ (Isabel C)

‘I think the play has a great story and it’s quite fun because there are lots of characters. It also has great humour. Peer Gynt keeps doing crazy things.’ (Hallam B)

‘The whole story in general is probably what I would have as a dream. Maybe Henrik Ibsen based his play on a dream he had, because it is strange and abnormal, like a fairytale, full of ridiculous characters, like the Button-Moulder who intends to melt Peer Gynt’s soul, and other bizarre characters such as the Boyg, trolls, broken-straws, sighs and tears!’ (Alix H)

‘I think the main moral of the story is to always be true to yourself and always be yourself. I like our rehearsals because drama is fun and it is fun doing a play.’ (Maiya D)

Many thanks to Mr Stokes for all his hard work.