Theatre and Grand Opera - Tuesday October 16th

Date: Wednesday 17 October 2007

Never think that St Edmund's is simply about the classroom as a learning environment. Yesterday, two groups of pupils, musicians and thespians, had the chance to learn more about their chosen areas of study by taking part in outings to the Gulbenkian Theatre, and further afield to Glyndebourne.

Those who went to the Gulbenkian had the chance to enjoy a piece called 'Hysteria', written and performed by Inspector Sands and the Stamping Ground Theatre Company. There was a mixed response from the 40+-strong party to a play about 'the human condition' in the 21st century. Josh Magill spotted Artaudian influences in a piece which was very physical and visual, but whose complications left many of our audience baffled!

Those who went to Glyndebourne - the Music Scholars - were treated to a Schools' Matinee performance of Donizetti's opera. 'L'Elisir d'Amore', transported from the 1830s to the Mussolini dominated Fascist era of Italy in the 1930s. This comic love story, centred on the 'love potion' of ther title, appealed to Daniel Caplen, who appreciated the pantomime-like production, and was in no way deterred by the fact that it was opera!

Thanks to all the staff - musicians and theatre studies - who organised such innovative experiences. There are sure to be more after half-term - and today!! - when the English Upper Sixth class are going to see the new London production of set-text 'Othello'.