Drama and Theatre (Edexcel)

A level Drama and Theatre offers you the opportunity to learn about every angle of theatre-making, including acting and all elements of theatre design. Lessons and performances take place in our professional grade Studio Theatre. You will study the work of key theatre practitioners and use these skills to bring your own theatre productions to life.

Developing written communication is also important and you will learn how to structure compelling and well-crafted written arguments. You will watch inspirational professional live theatre and explore a wide range of styles and genres in practical work, creating performances that move and inspire the audience. You will refine your academic skills, becoming highly skilled in analysis, evaluation and written skills. You will also develop problem-solving skills, teamwork, presentation and communication skills. These are recognised and valued by universities and future employers as desirable skills, enabling graduates to stand out, be influential in their roles and to make a difference in the workplace.

Topics studied

Component 1 (40%): Devising

• Devise an original performance inspired by the work of a contemporary theatre practitioner
• Write an accompanying piece of coursework reflecting on the devising process (3000 words)

Component 2 (20%): Group performance and monologue

• Perform a key extract from a published play (as part of a small group)
• Perform a monologue from a different published play

Component 3 (40%): Written exam, 2 hours 30 minutes

• Evaluate a live theatre performance that you have studied
• Write about how you would stage a contemporary text you have practically explored
• Write about how you would interpret a classical text in relation to a theatre practitioner

Academic enrichment

Your creative work will be inspired by professional theatre makers. Regular theatre trips and visiting theatre companies, along with online performances will give you access to a range of contemporary productions. Recent theatre trips have included a site specific production of Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall, The Other Place, The Crucible, The Father and the Assassin, The Ocean at the End of the Lane and Peter Gynt all at the National Theatre, My Neighbour Totoro, Piaf, The Kite Runner, Wise Children’s Wuthering Heights livestreamed from Bristol Old Vic, Kneehigh and Emma Rice’s Flying Lovers of Vitebsk at Bristol Old Vic, The Jungle at the Playhouse Theatre, Jane Eyre and The Merchant of Venice. Events beyond the classroom include workshops with visiting theatre companies and professionals from the world of theatre, television, radio and film, designed to help you build bridges from school into the professional world. Dedicated specialist support is given to students who wish to apply to study Drama after school.

The annual Senior extracurricular production is a highly anticipated event. The cast is made up of St Helen’s students and visiting boys from local schools. Recent plays and musical productions have included Legally Blonde, Made in Dagenham,  Sense and Sensibility, A Monster Calls, Grease, The Visit, As You Like It, and Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In addition, there are auditions for a range of unique theatre productions each year, including original writing by Sixth Form Drama Scholars and the opportunity to be part of the backstage crew for Drama productions. Find out more:

Beyond Drama