By Mrs Horton (Drama Teacher)

On Friday 13th June, the drama department took Year 9 and 10 Drama students on a trip to Milton Keynes Theatre to watch a thrilling live performance of The Girl on the Train, the stage adaptation of Paula Hawkins’ bestselling novel. As part of our commitment to providing real-world learning experiences, this trip supported our students in developing their understanding of live theatre, an essential component of the AQA GCSE Drama course.

The production was a gripping psychological thriller that kept us all on the edge of our seats. With its compelling storyline, atmospheric staging and emotionally charged performances, the play provided students with a perfect example of how mood and tension can be created and sustained on stage. The set design was particularly notable, using a cleverly rotating structure to shift between Rachel’s home, the train, and various other locations without breaking the flow of the narrative. This dynamic staging gave students insight into how space and design choices support storytelling in live theatre.

For our students, seeing a professional performance of this quality was not only enjoyable but educational. As part of the GCSE drama curriculum, students are required to evaluate live theatre productions, analysing how performers and designers communicate meaning to an audience. Watching The Girl on the Train gave them a valuable opportunity to practise these skills in a real-world context.

What was particularly exciting was the post-show discussion on the coach ride home, where students shared their interpretations of character motivation and staging choices. It was fantastic to see them using the vocabulary of drama to articulate their thoughts so confidently, already beginning to form the basis for their live theatre evaluation essays.

Trips like this remind us of the power of theatre, not just to entertain, but to inspire critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.

We look forward to more enriching cultural outings in the near future!