Drama

Situated at the heart of the school, the EM Forster Theatre houses the Drama department and is the hub of dramatic activity at Tonbridge. Every boy at Tonbridge has the opportunity to participate in a way that interests him, be it as an actor, director, writer, singer or technician.

Drama offers opportunities for involvement, irrespective of age or experience, with  nine major productions in a year, plus a wide range of exciting workshops, professional shows and theatre trips. The EM Forster Theatre regularly welcomes visits from a variety of touring theatre companies as part of our wider Arts programme.

Drama is creative, bold, wide-ranging and diverse at Tonbridge. Our productions are of the highest standard both on stage and off, giving boys the opportunity to be part of a major show and to showcase their talents.

The annual main school production is a highlight of the school calendar. Past productions include musicals such as Chess, Cabaret and Sweeney Todd, Shakespeare plays including Hamlet and Much Ado About Nothing and straight plays such as Private Peaceful and The Government Inspector. Recent Junior plays and Lower Sixth plays such as The History Boys, Romeo and Juliet and One Man Two Guvnors have equally delighted audiences.

Pupils from local girls’ schools participate in almost all productions, and thrive in a positive, creative working environment alongside our boys. All our events are open to the public: tickets for shows, and for our extensive Arts programme, can be ordered via the box office system.

House Plays see a specific House pulling together to produce pupil-led performances, with boys working in all areas of theatre production. Other events include an annual Novi Shakespeare celebration lit by candelabra and the Junior Drama Society, which runs as an after school club.

In their last year of study, boys are invited to take a play up to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as members of the Hoghead Theatre Company. Boys are responsible for everything that goes into taking a show on tour.

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