A Dramatic Time in Cornwall

Lower and Upper Sixth Drama students took part in the annual trip to Cornwall in preparation for various elements of their studies. 

The first stop was at The Jamaica Inn to get a feel of pirate history in Cornwall and the surrounding open moors, famous for Poldark. We continued to Charlestown where the students worked collaboratively on the harbour creating the Parados from their set text ‘Antigone’. 

Battling busy Friday night traffic, we reached the YHA Penzance to a warm welcome by the staff and a lovely evening meal which we followed by discussing live theatre and preparing for the following day.

Despite a weather warning of rain, our visit to The Minack Theatre was bathed in glorious sunshine and we enjoyed a fantastic portrayal by actor Mark Harrandon of Billy Rawlings, the gardener of Rowena Cade, who built this beautiful theatre on the cliff’s edge.

The group made their way down to Porthcurno Beach for lunch before a devising task which evidenced the talent of the students and allowed them to explore their stimuli so far. That afternoon we watched the fantastic production of ‘Six’ at Hall for Cornwall in Truro. It was an exciting, rock styled portrayal of the six wives of Henry VIII and one that had everyone singing the songs all the way back to Penzance in the mini bus; a perfect production for the students to use for their Live Theatre responses. Another delicious dinner was enjoyed back at YHA before we discussed the production and turned in for a well-deserved and much needed rest! 

This was an action-packed weekend but one from which the students got so much from, while building friendships as a whole Sixth Form Drama cohort.

Mrs Jilly Witcomb, Director of Drama