KHS pupils delivered some excellent performances at this year’s Chipping Norton Music Festival. Held during March each year, the Festival has been promoting music-making and performing since 1904.
Pupils from a variety of year groups took part in a range of disciplines from singing, to playing instruments and acting.
Each year there is a day of Speech & Drama non-competitive classes adjudicated by a professional, providing young people with the chance to perform in front of an audience and receive feedback. A number of our aspiring actors took to the stage to present solo and group pieces. All Speech & Drama pupils had taken part in their LAMDA exams the week before so were primed and ready for more action.
We sat down with some of our performers and asked them about the piece they performed and why they chose it.
Emily (Year 11) - ‘The piece that I performed was from the novel The Devil wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger. It was the scene where Miranda was interviewing Andy. I enjoyed it as there was a variation of emotions, and as Miranda is American I got the chance to explore the American accent. I managed to improve my skills based on the feedback I received.’
Lucy (Year 8) - ‘Mine was a Shakespeare solo scene from Romeo and Juliet and there was such a range of emotion which I enjoyed performing.’
Eliott (Year 10)- ‘Ours was The Play of the Royal Astrologers which was a lot of fun to perform. The experience has really helped to increase my confidence in my acting ability.’
Mikayla (Lower Sixth) - ‘I performed Blue Bird by Simon Stephens. I really enjoyed the character development and felt the piece was really powerful. It was wonderful to perform.’
All our pupils who took part are to be congratulated for their efforts. Particular congratulations go to Lower Sixth pupil, Mikayla, on her success. Not only did she win the Shauni McGregor Festival Award for the most promising participant aged 18 or under, but she also won the Speech & Drama Adjudicator’s Award for the performer with ‘that something little extra special!’ We couldn’t agree more – well done Mikayla!
Our own annual Speech & Drama Concert is due to take place on Thursday 13th June. We are very much looking forward to seeing these scenes, and others, brought to life on stage here at school.