Highlights from Performing Arts

March has been an action-packed month for Performing Arts, with six productions showcasing an incredible range of talent across the school.

MONO

We kicked off the month with a small Sixth Form showcase, Mono. Each student performed a monologue and a song, primarily in preparation for their upcoming Drama School auditions. Students tackled both classical (mostly Shakespeare) and contemporary pieces, including extracts from Twelfth Night, Too Much Punch for Judy, Merchant of Venice, and Shooting Hedda Gabler. Songs ranged from Jesus Christ Superstar to Fiddler on the Roof. The students performed exceptionally well and are now eagerly awaiting audition results!

Double Bill at the Tabard Theatre

Next came a two-night special featuring two plays with similar themes but different writers:

  • Treats (Christopher Hampton) – A comedy about a love triangle between a man and two very different women. The three Year 13 actors rehearsed for four weeks and performed to a full house. Although all were fantastic, special mention goes to Emma, who brought a dark and manipulative edge to her role as the ex-girlfriend.
  • Abigail’s Party (Mike Leigh) – A dark comedy of manners about an increasingly uncomfortable middle- class drinks party. The Sixth Form cast nailed the comedic timing and brought the characters to life. Special recognition goes to Lara, who made the role of Beverly her own, rather than imitating Alison Steadman’s famous performance.

Musical Showcase

Next on the packed calendar was an evening of musicals, featuring students from Years 7–13 performing numbers from Annie, Joseph, Les Misérables, and Jesus Christ Superstar, along with songs from Matilda and The Greatest Showman. The evening was both fun and dramatic, with highlights including Herod’s Song from Jesus Christ Superstar and Pharaoh’s Dream, performed by an Elvis impersonator! The sold-out theatre meant a fantastic atmosphere, and the students gave the audience great value for money.

Frankenstein

Year 12 performed an adaptation of Frankenstein in the Drama Studio. The production, specially adapted by Mr. Robinson, included excerpts from Mary Shelley's diary, reflecting her grief over the loss of her children and her desire to be a mother. It also featured letters from Dr. Steptoe, the pioneer behind the first IVF treatment.

The play incorporated movement pieces, abstract wordplay, and a unique approach to character portrayal:

  • Frankenstein was played by all the female cast members in rotation, emphasizing the role of women in "growing" life.
  • The Monster was portrayed as a puppet, controlled by the rest of the cast.

The two-night production ended with a Q&A session, allowing the audience to delve deeper into the play’s themes and interpretations.

Nowruz – Persian New Year

March also marked Nowruz, the Persian New Year, and we celebrated with a special evening of dance, storytelling, music, and food. Originally planned as a small musical event, it quickly grew into a full-scale community celebration.

  • A professional dance teacher and Persian poet/ storyteller worked with students to explore Nowruz traditions.
  • The all-female Daf band performed, showcasing this traditional Middle Eastern frame drum.
  • Year 7 students presented the Haft-Seen, a symbolic table setting with 12 culturally significant items, which they had been researching and rehearsing for weeks. Their knowledge and pronunciation impressed the audience.
  • The night ended with the entire cast, teachers, and audience of 180 people singing the Persian National Anthem together.

New Year’s Day Parade – Mayor’s Award

Earlier this year, a group of Chiswick students braved the rain and cold to perform in the London New Year’s Day Parade. This month, we were delighted to be invited by the Mayor of Hounslow for a special reception, where students received medals for their efforts. These medals will serve as a permanent reminder of the challenging weather but unforgettable experience!

Featherstone Dance Festival

We completed our term with two dance shows, the first was at Featherstone High School to participate in their annual dance festival. The show is a culmination of years work by primaries, dance groups and two secondary schools (Featherstone and us).

We took three dances this year, from KS3 and 4, and received a rapturous round of applause and a special thank you from the school.

Spring Dance Show

The last show of this term (and the 8th) was our Spring Dance showcase. I'm not sure where the students get the energy from! But we are glad they do. The way they work evenings, weekends and holidays to bring entertainment to their parents is nothing less than astonishing. This show was an amazing example of this! Not only did the 65 strong cast dance for over an hour, with 16 different numbers, but the older students took the responsibility of choreographing as well.

As always the talent on show was amazing and we are now ready for a well earned break...before we return in the summer term with even more!

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