By Mrs Horton (Drama Teacher and Head of Parks)
On Wednesday 24th September, the doors of the Assembly Hall opened once again for the BGS annual House Drama competition, Play in a Day where all storylines, costumes, set designs, sound, characters and casting had to be completed and performed in one day! Excitement filled the air as Lower Sixth students from each House welcomed their Year 7 cast members into the rehearsal spaces. They began with team-building and get-to-know-you games, fostering an atmosphere of trust and fun that grew throughout the day.
By morning break, each House had established a storyline, collaboratively created by the Lower Sixth and Year 7 through energetic narrative-building games. The Lower Sixth directors developed this during rehearsals, ensuring every student knew their lines and actions for clear communication on stage. The buzz of activity extended beyond performance, as the Lower Sixth, with the help of competent Year 7s, worked hard to create a programme, poster, and social media marketing for their plays. They also devised a complete sound design, operated during performances, while costumes, sets, and props were crafted in record time.
At 3pm, the moment everyone had been working towards arrived: the performances! Nightingale opened with a fantastic rendition based on the film Shrek, showcasing excellent ensemble work, brilliant comic timing, and incredible costumes. Franklin followed with a beautifully styled version of The Lion King, featuring an enormous giraffe model and realistic scenery. Hepburn presented an inspiring story celebrating girl power and our BGS value Bold, with multiple recognisable princesses. Parks delivered a clever and witty take on The Wizard of Oz, delighting the audience with puns such as the yellow brick road becoming Cardington Road and a grand appearance from the Wizard of Orange. Austen offered a hilarious mashup of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Bears, with a twist – the Big Bad Wolf had a cold, spraying water over the audience when he sneezed. Finally, Chanel performed Peter Pan, highlighted by spectacular costumes and makeup, culminating in a memorable dance battle.
Mrs Gibson (Headmistress) and Mr Marks (Director of Dance and Drama) served as our judges, offering helpful feedback to each House before announcing Nightingale as the overall winner, with second place going to Parks and third to Austen.
Mrs Gibson added: “It was wonderful to be back in the thick of it with the students. The energy and enthusiasm was fantastic. The students had obviously worked hard and had a truly wonderful time creating their shows. Finding time to create moments of joy is an important part of a BGS education and this is one they will always remember.”
The day provided a wonderful opportunity for collaboration as our Year 7 students settled into the Senior School and formed friendships with each other as well as their Sixth Form role models.
