The Arts

Dance and Drama

Drama

In every year all pupils are given the opportunity to perform on stage in a musical or drama production. The Infants perform in the nativity and their own musical; most recently performing ‘Pirates versus Mermaids!’ In Years Three and Four pupils also perform in a musical with all pupils recently starring in ‘Cinders!’ In Year Five each class will perform a Shakespeare Play with ‘Macbeth’ a firm favourite. In Year 6 pupils audition to take part in a major show which will be performed in a local theatre. Recent shows have been ‘Peter Pan’ at The Puppet Theatre and ‘Shrek!’ at The Garage.

Dance

Pupils have opportunities to take part in dance shows and joining a dance group in an after school club. The Lower School has a strong reputation for performing in dance competitions reaching the national finals for the last two years.

LAMDA

London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art (LAMDA) has been in existence for more than 100 years. For the last fifteen years the Lower School has offered LAMDA lessons and examinations and has achieved a 100% pass rate with over 90% achieving a distinction or merit. There are 2-3 exam sessions per academic year in which pupils perform their work before an external LAMDA examiner. Lessons are taught in small groups during the school day and cover an array of subjects from Acting & Musical Theatre to Poetry Reading & Public Speaking’. There really is something for everyone!

Find out more about our recent performing arts achievements below:

Lower School Chamber Choir bring Christmas Sparkle to Sowerbys

By Eleanor Lewis • November 15, 2024

The Lower School Chamber Choir were in attendance at last nights open office at Sowerbys in Norwich, bringing some festive cheer to the appreciative audience and passers-by on Queen Street on their way to the Norwich Christmas Lights Switch On. The choir provided the perfect accompaniment to the evening, singing carol favourites including some beautiful descants from the Choristers. Head of Music Mr Vine said ‘ I am so proud of the Chamber Choirs professional attitude and wonderful singing last night and a big thank you to all the parents for your support. Thank you Sowerbys for asking us to come and perform. A truly memorable evening’

Lower School House Music Festival 2024 Was an Absolute Triumph!

By Eleanor Lewis • November 11, 2024

The battle lines were drawn... The Theme was ANIMALS and it was all down to the pupils to organise and rehearse their houses! The Lower School House Music Festival 2024 was an absolute triumph. Heigham, Magdalen and Conisford choosing songs from The Beatles, Culture Club and Survivor all gave incredible performances in the Hall, led and directed by the House Captains, Harrison Rafftree, Ben McNeilly and Josh Bevan. Head of Singing from the Senior School Mrs Walton came down to adjudicate and was incredibly impressed with the standard of singing, stage presence, diction, intonation, and enthusiasm from each House. The singing truly raised the roof! It was a close competition with only a few marks in between each place. The worthy winners were announced as Conisford and their version of ‘The Eye of the Tiger’ by Survivor. Huge congratulation s to Conisford and well done to everyone for taking part, and a special ‘bravo’ to the 3 House Captains for their excellent work in leading and directing their Houses so well

An Evening to Remember at the L1 & U1 Informal Concert

By Eleanor Lewis • October 10, 2024

It was an evening to remember for the audience at last night’s Informal Concert featuring pupils from Lower 1 and Upper 1. Some pupils were performing their pieces for the very first time and what a concert they delivered! Full of excitement and enthusiasm and some truly breathtaking performances. Improvised piano pieces sat alongside brand new written songs, Beethoven alongside Bruno Mars and even an epic drum version of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall! It was wonderful to see such confidence in the children, performing with such passion and presence. Every pupil sparkled and shone and enchanted the audience. Congratulations to everyone who performed rounding off the Informal Concerts for the Michaelmas Term.