Drama
Lancing offers a rich and varied programme of Drama, reflecting an illustrious cast of past pupils headed by Sir Christopher Hampton, Sir David Hare, and Sir Tim Rice, with numerous more recent alumni working in the performance and production fields spanning the creative arts industries.
Our 160-seat theatre is at once an intimate yet versatile space, and one sympathetic to different staging configurations, from traditional proscenium arch through traverse and in-the-round, to a recent (and spine-tinglingly!) immersive production of Lord of the Flies. An orchestra pit facilitates live accompaniment for school musicals. The adjoining Cherry Hall Drama Studio is a perfect complement: this is the lead learning space for curriculum drama as well as smaller scale performances and showcases. It also plays host to visiting professionals delivering a range of workshops.
Something for Everyone
There is an extensive Cocurricular Drama programme with productions reaching double figures annually. The new school year begins with Curtain Raisers [“Small cast. Challenging script. Rehearse and perform in three weeks. A gauntlet for the daring to take up.”] in late September. The annual School Musical forms the centrepiece of the term, celebrating drama, dance, choreography and musical theatre; recent productions include Guys & Dolls, Sweeney Todd, The Addams Family and Anything Goes. Plays abound across all year groups throughout the year: Oedipus the King, Arabian Nights, The Dumb Waiter, Lord of the Flies, Twelfth Night, Two, Alice in Wonderland (en promenade!) and Private Peaceful have all taken their bow in recent times. The second term focuses on pupil-led drama: the longstanding Bancroft One Act Playwriting Competition champions dramatic creativity, with pupils writing, directing and performing their own work; this term is also the engine room of A Level and GCSE Drama performance.
Junior Play
In the summer term, a dedicated Junior Play offers Third and Fourth Formers (Years 9 and 10) the opportunity to cut their teeth in lead or company roles in significant ensemble pieces. An open air theatre in the grounds seats 400 comfortably (cushion compulsory!) and enables alfresco productions when the English summer plays ball (most recently Speaking in Tongues and A Midsummer Night’s Dream).
Stage Team Opportunities
Those interested in the technical aspects of theatre can join the stage team to learn about lighting and sound from our fulltime Technical Manager, working up to designing and operating these elements in performance. An airy and spacious Green Room contains changing facilities as well as housing an enviable array of costumes superbly maintained by our Wardrobe Mistress, whilst the “Hut on the Hill” contains a myriad of props and furnishings.
Screen Opportunities
“The Hamptons” House Films are a brilliant recent innovation, owing their existence to the philanthropy and guiding spirit of screenwriter and playwright Sir Christopher Hampton OL. All ten houses make – write, direct, perform, score, edit – their own short film, shot on campus by a professional crew and celebrated with a gala screening evening complete with awards ceremony, in the presence of Sir Christopher. This initiative has taken performing arts at Lancing in exciting new and complementary directions.
LAMDA Classes
LAMDA classes are delivered weekly by a visiting specialist teacher, typically in Acting (solo and duo) and Speaking Verse and Prose; as a Private Centre LAMDA exams are taken onsite.
Drama Colours and Prizes
Drama Colours and Prizes are awarded annually to those who have demonstrated outstanding levels of commitment in their personal effort and focus, and teamwork in their support of and kindness to others, throughout the rehearsal process and in the quality of their performance, whether as actors on stage or as technicians backstage.
Drama Scholarships
Drama Scholarships are awarded at 13+ and 16+; further information about external applications can be obtained from the Admissions Department. Our drama scholars play a leading creative role in Curtain Raisers and are at the heart of all our productions, honing their own dramaturgical skills and exploring new directions through workshops whilst encouraging, guiding and championing their peers.
Drama at Lancing seeks to involve and engage all five year groups in collaborating with enthusiasm and commitment, and above all enjoyment, to make memorable theatre. Across a typical nine-week rehearsal period, a closeknit Company is formed, building confidence, experience and friendships, and creating enduring and cherished memories.
Matt Smith, Director of Drama and Dance
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