Year 4 compete in an action-packed running race…in slow motionIn year 4’s drama lesson this week they were asked to compete in an improvised running race which took place over a mere 3m distance. The twist was the children needed to complete the race in slow motion. “On your marks…Get set… GO!” but not too fast or you will be disqualified! If a pupil... crossed the finish line, they were asked to dramatically act as if it they had lost the race of their life. By focusing intently on stretching and extending every limb, the students will have felt a clear connection to their bodies and to where they were in the space in relation to their rivals. Having this high level of physical connection and spatial awareness is a vital skill for all performers so, out of what was a light-hearted and slightly ridiculous exercise, valuable insight is gained. See more
Coming soon at HCH: Captain StirrickTickets are now on sale for the Hampton Court House production of Captain Stirrick on Thursday and Friday 8-9 March, our atmospheric musical set in the murky underworld of late Georgian London. The cast have been working incredibly hard to produce a show to a professional standard, working with guest... director Jeremy James Taylor OBE, founder of the National Youth Music Theatre. The story is based on an article in The Times from high summer 1807, telling the story of a child thief called Thomas Gray who was arrested by the Court of Pie Powder, a pop-up court dispensing summary justice at St Bartholomew’s Fair. To avoid further “inducement” (in the reporter’s chilling understatement), Gray informed on his friends. It emerged that he was part of a vagrant gang of child thieves, who travelled around England’s fairs, robbing and pickpocketing, whom the police had been hunting for two years – led by the magnetic, murderous child thief “Captain” Ned Stirrick… BOOK TICKETS Director: Jeremy James Taylor OBE Musical Director: Kieran Brunt Producer: Adam D’Souza Co-director and Voice Coach: Kathryn Sumner This production is presented in association with Music Theatre International (Europe) See more
‘Play in a Day’ WorkshopYears 2 and 3 enjoyed a visit from the Polka Theatre for a ‘Play in a Day’ workshop. Del introduced pupils to many dynamic warm ups which got them moving and their minds working. Activities were focused on the theme of ‘Pandora’s Box’ which led to many discussions of the plot and views of what... it means to be curious. Pupils then practised their miming skills, leading and beckoning someone to open a box. They memorised scenes, performed them as a Greek chorus and created their own puppet that had to be co-ordinated and moved by a number of people. In addition to this students were also put in small groups where they had to create a unique scene using Pandora as inspiration, but in a different context. This led to stories of dolphins being caught by aquariums, and the consequences of going to bed too late after watching a film without parents knowing! At the end of this action packed day, pupils were able to share their performances With Year 4. See more
Nursery Children Enjoy French Songs and GamesThe Nursery children had an interesting and fun drama session on Friday 28 April as they learnt a new French song and discovered two new games. They enjoyed singing “Docteur, je suis malade” which can be found online. They also loved taking turns when playing “Little Co-operation” and “Mon premier verger”. These two games require an awful lot of patience and the children did so well.
Fairy Tales in Year 1Last week, Year 1 explored the realm of fairy tales with Ciara from The Rose Theatre. They thought about the ‘ingredients’ needed to create a compelling story and acted out, with puppets, Little Red Riding Hood, but they came up with a fantastical new ending. They then worked in teams to create their own fairy tales using their own ‘ingredients’. Their modern take on this genre included sharks, turtles and monster eating tigers!
Impromptu ConcertOn Friday afternoon, students from HCH put on an impromptu concert in the Main Hall. Year 1 sang Never Smile at a Crocodile with Rupert going on to perform a solo of the Teddy Bears’ Picnic. He did this a capella which, as the headmaster pointed out, is a very difficult thing to do. Year 2 sang confidently... in French. The whole school enjoyed piano recitals from Cyrus in Year 4 and Vivian in Year 5 who played Pachelbel’s Canon beautifully. Some students chose to do more contemporary performances with Summer, Electra and Eleanor in Year 2 displaying some very modern dance moves. The genre of theatre was not overlooked with Julie, Louis and Zacharie in Year 5 performing a dramatic comedy set in a doctor’s surgery, while Thea and Lily in Year 5 performed a sketch which displayed a strong Monty Python influence. Natasha, Avalon and Victoria in Year 7 did an interpretation of Little Red Riding Hood which had such a contemporary twist that possibly Charles Perrault the author would not recognise his own work! Thane in Year 6 played the saxophone very well while other Middle Years students sang solos including Matthew, Amelia and Najeebah. The Upper Years and Sixth Form also joined in with Alisa reading a poem, Alex playing the piano and Scarlett playing the guitar and singing. It really was a great way to end the first week back at school. See more
Noye’s FluddeHampton Court House staged its first opera this summer. Noye’s Fludde by Benjamin Britten tells an adapted story of Noah and his drunken, reluctant wife from the medieval Chester Miracle Plays. However in the hands of conductor Kieran Brunt, the students and staff of Hampton Court House produced a... show that was fresh and vivid. The production was a milestone in collaboration between departments: music, drama, art and ballet all came together. The show included bespoke animation of the storm. The chorus of animals, each complete with their own personal animal mask, was performed by the Middle Years students. The children sang and acted with great presence. The soloists and chorus had the opportunity to work alongside professional singers and instrumentalists from London, including the formidably-voiced Michael Mofidian as Noah. Professional theatre critic Susan Elkin reviewed the production: http://susanelkin.co.uk/articles/fludded-tears-joys-memories/ See more+9