Theatre Department News
David Suchet invited AS Theatre Students to The Apollo
The school launched its visiting theatre programme last Autumn with performances by Greyscale Theatre Company, Theatre Alibi and Hijinx Theatre Company. In addition, professional artists will be visiting the school to tutor students and meet audiences in interviews and question and answer session.
Ex-Wellington student David Suchet's current role in the westend hit, All My Sons, by Arthur Miller has proved that he is one of the great actors of our time. The popular Poirot series had somewhat consigned him to a softer TV throne of achievement in the minds of the British public but his considerable work at the RSC, the Old Vic and at Chichester among other venues is resonating in his role in this magnificently powerful play that has astounded audiences and critics alike.  His approach is just like the man himself: original, highly intelligent and imbued with complete integrity.
The extended run due to the success of the production means a gruelling schedule for the cast in this thought-provoking and stunning production but David Suchet is totally committed to engerdering a passion for theatre in young people and supporting students at his old school. Thus he invited the AS Theatre Student on to the set at The Apollo Theatre to talk to him about his approaches to this seminal script. The students were as delighted with the construction of the clapper board house and real grass on stage as they were with David's illucidation on the play and his process. He talked about the irony in the script and the way he has built and maintained complexity in this famous role. 
"He was very keen to help us and inspire us," said Celia Norton. Earlier in the year, David Suchet spent time working with GCSE theatre students on Shakesperian language, despite his increasingly schedule.
 All My Sons continued until 2nd October at The Apollo Theatre on Shaftesbury Avenue and it was a chance to see this famous ex-student of Wellington School, along with Zoë Wanamaker and an outstanding cast , at the height of his career.  It was unmissable but if you can't get to London in the next few months, David Suchet will no doubt be a significant figure in British theatre over coming years. It is likely that he will now be recognised as one of the great authorities on acting in this country as well as one of the great male actors of his generation.
Visiting theatre programme
The TALKABOUT series gets established!
Theatre director, David Rowan, visited the school to initiate the TALKABOUT series, a programme designed to bring students into closer contact with professionals working in theatre. David, whose summer productions of Loves Labours Lost and at the Cambridge Shakespeare Festival were widely acclaimed, worked with students on scenes to bring out motivations and humour in Shakespeare’s lines. Fraser Ayres continued the series just over a week later by taking students through his career in television, film and in theatre discussing the realities of being an actor, starting an acting career as a child star and his decision to avoid drama school. The audience enjoyed listening to a man unaffected by his success and keen to explain the daily routine of actors in Casualty as op
posed to actors working in fringe theatre and at The National Theatre.
Greyscale Theatre Company Visit the School.
Directors Lorne Campbell and Selma Dimitrijevic worked with theatre students over two days, exploring their working methods and preparing students for performances of What Would Judas Do? Their dynamic perspective storytelling is a challenging and vivid theatre form and the play was a startling monologue starring the talented Fraser Ayres which was very well received by students. The theatre season continued shortly afterwards with a play from Exeter-based Theatre Alibi and Hijinx Theatre who visited the school in November.
Shakers Restirred.
Year 11 students, Beccy Edwards, Sasha Dennis, Anna Lawrenson and Lydia Stoddard, mounted this production at the beginning of last term, opening the Autumn studio theatre season and working towards their silver arts awards.  They brought to life John Godber’s celebrated text with a punching and gritty humour, creating a highly entertaining and thought-provoking evening. The sections of society that Godber focuses on are often dysfunctional and this play looks at the reality of working in a cocktail bar, dealing with a variety of unsavoury customers. In the intimate Southside Theatre, the actors used their close proximity to the audience to great effect, placing high tension moment right in front of the audience and emphasising eye contact. Next time audience members wander into a bar for a drink, they might well recall this evening and give the waitress an encouraging smile!
See also:
Theatre Front Page
Theatre Department Diary
Academic
Extra Curricular Theatre
