By Mr Marks (Director of Drama and Dance)

On Tuesday of this week, I had the pleasure of taking my first theatre trip at BGS. Having been living in Asia for the past 12 years, it was really exciting to be able to introduce the Year 7 and 8 students to the vibrant theatre scene in London and to re-engage with it again myself. 

Wendy and Peter Pan at The Barbican Theatre did not disappoint. The theatre had upgraded our tickets so that we had an excellent view in the stalls and so we could get properly engaged in the exciting atmosphere of Neverland.

The play Wendy and Peter Pan was written by Ella Hickson. It was first produced by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2013, offering a bold, feminist retelling of J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan from Wendy’s perspective. When Wendy’s younger brother, Tom, dies, it throws the once happy and loving family into turmoil. Ella Hickson has taken some of J. M. Barrie’s own story and woven it into her narrative and The RSC’s telling of her story was exhilarating.

There were so many wonderful techniques for the students in Years 7 and 8 to admire and to learn from. At this stage in their development as Drama students, they should be looking to build as many techniques and styles of working as possible. They should be like ‘Magpies’, stealing great ideas of how to approach their own storytelling from these theatre experiences. 

Our students’ behaviour was exemplary and their energy and enthusiasm for the show was infectious! Thanks to the students for making my first BGS Theatre Trip so enjoyable and thanks to the staff that supported the trip.