Drama students at Pipers Corner School put all the skills they have learnt over their two year A Level course into action last week as they presented performance pieces to examiners. Following their successful exam in the afternoon the girls went on to perform to parents and friends in the evening.
The first group performed "Agnes of God", a tragic and poignant tale written by John Pielmier. The work centres on the mysterious birth and murder of a Nun's baby and explores the resulting tension between Faith and Science. The mystery is compounded by the fact that the Nun, Agnes, has no recollection of even being pregnant. With a trio of main characters and a network of complicated relationships, the work was a very challenging piece for the girls to choose for their assessment.
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The second group of students opted to stage a version of "Jane Eyre" adapted by Polly Teale for Shared Experience. This particular adaptation explores the theory that Mr Rochester's deranged wife Bertha is actually the manifestation of Jane's alter ego; a secret, passionate self which Jane herself has learnt to repress in order to survive in Victorian society. With a number of girls taking on multiple roles it was a complex and demanding performance.
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Out of the 11 A2 students involved in the assessments, eight girls chose to be assessed on acting, two on costume design and construction and one on set design and settings.
Head of Performing Arts, Heather Andrew said, "This was a wonderful way for the girls to end their practical drama studies at Pipers; by working in a full theatrical team they have had a real taste of how professional theatre evolves. The plays chosen were demanding texts to perform and design for, but our students relished the opportunity to explore the themes and issues through their portrayal of the characters and the stage settings. Now all that remains is a lot of hard work for the written A Level papers!"
**ENDS**
For more information contact:
Fran Knight, Marketing and Communications Manager, Pipers Corner School. Telephone 01494 719 850 or email fknight@piperscorner.co.uk
Pictures show:
- Performing "Agnes of God"
- The girls' performance of "Jane Eyre"