Page 118 - Bellfort Magazine 2025

The Drama and Performing Arts Department has been buzzing with energy, innovation and
passion this year. From the intense, thought- provoking GCSE and A Level exam pieces that
showcased our students’ depth, skill and originality, to the breathtaking whole school production
of Les Misérables. Les Misérables was a true triumph which left the audiences moved and
amazed. This is an experience our pupils and staff will never forget.
GCSE – Year 11 - This term, Year 11 Drama students have been fully immersed in the CCEA GCSE
Drama Unit 1 Devised Component, a vital and creative element of the course. The unit challenges
students to collaborate in groups to devise original pieces of theatre in response to one of three
carefully chosen stimuli: Jealousy, The Works of Roald Dahl, and An Image of the Famine.

Each stimulus offered a distinct thematic and theatrical direction. Some groups were drawn to
the emotional intensity and psychological depth of Jealousy, using this powerful human emotion
to explore relationships, betrayal, and conflict. These performances often delved into complex
character development and tension-driven narratives. Others chose to be inspired by The Works
of Roald Dahl, embracing the whimsical, darkly comic, and imaginative worlds that define Dahl's
storytelling. These groups enjoyed the opportunity to incorporate stylised physical theatre,
narration, and inventive characterisation into their work, bringing Dahl’s unique tone to life on
stage.
GCSE Drama : Year 12—The year 12 GCSE Drama students recently took to the stage for their
final practical exam, impressing the examiner with two dynamic and contrasting performances
that showcased their talent, versatility and dedication. One group delivered an emotionally
charged performance of ‘My Mother Said I Never Should’ by Charlotte Keatley. This explores
conflict and female identity. Zoe O’Brian, Benedicata Onah and Gabriella Onah handled the play’s
non-linear structure and emotional depth with sensitivity and maturity. Kadyn Lynn, Roxy
Tennant, Abbie Weir and William Balmer brought high energy and humour to the stage with a
melodramatic, multi rolled performance of ‘Teechers’ by John Godber. Switching between a wide
range of exaggerated characters, the students embraced the fast-paced satirical style of the play
with confidence.

A Level Performing Arts: Year 13—The stage lights may have dimmed, but the spotlight remains
firmly on the talented Year 13 students of the CCEA GCE Performing Arts class, who have
successfully completed Units 1 and 2 with flair, focus, and unforgettable performances. Students
immersed themselves in intensive skill-building, honing their craft through workshops,
rehearsals, and critical self-evaluation. Whether focusing on acting, music or costume each
student selected specific skills to refine, documenting their progress in detailed logbooks and
performance diaries. In May Jasmine Hayes, Emily Logan, Robin Agnew – Tafts, Rebecca
Saunderson, April Reid, Marc Agnew and Ruby Murray delivered a powerful performance of
‘After Life by Hirokazu Koreeda and Jack Thorne to an external examiner as part of their final
assessment. The play, which explores the themes of memory, identity, and the meaning of life,
challenged students to dig deep into their characters and convey complex emotions with subtlety
and conviction. The performance was enhanced by Jasmine’s beautiful harp playing and Emily’s
emotive singing with carefully chosen songs to enrich the storytelling. Ruby’s costume designs
brought the characters to life on stage.
A Level Performing Arts: Year 14—The year 14 Performing Arts students took to the stage for
their final performance, presenting two original pieces inspired by the theme of change, with a
focus on connecting with an older audience. The first group comprising Hannah Smyth, Olivia
Nelson, Rachel Cremore and Hope McLernon-Wray, delivered a poignant and reflective piece set
in a therapy waiting room. A diverse group of characters shared stories of significant life changes-
including divorce, sudden financial success and struggles with career success. Hannah’s live
musical interlude added emotional depth and helped bridge the characters’ journeys, creating an
extremely moving performance. In contrast, the second group took a lighter approach with a
comedy inspired by ‘Still Game’ and ‘Mrs Brown’s Boys’, exploring the often-humorous realities of
growing old. With exaggerated characters and witty dialogue, Robert Surgenor and Brandon
Foster had the audience laughing while still delivering a meaningful messaging about ageing and
maintaining one’s identity through life’s inevitable changes.