Drama Scholars Trip to see The Tempest

On Thursday, our Year 7 and 8 Drama Scholars, along with their friends, had the incredible opportunity to watch The Tempest at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. This highly anticipated production starred Sigourney Weaver as Prospero and marked a historic moment—it is the first play performed at the venue since Sir John Gielgud took on the same role in 1958. Since then, the theatre has exclusively hosted musicals, making this Shakespearean return even more special.

The Tempest, Shakespeare’s final play, explores themes of forgiveness and reflection, but it also delivers plenty of humour. We were thoroughly entertained by Matthew Horne’s hilarious portrayal of Trinculo and Jason Barnett’s lively performance as Stephano. Set on an island following a shipwreck, the production featured a breathtaking set, and Sigourney Weaver commanded the stage for nearly the entire show.

The highlight of our trip came after the performance when we had the rare privilege of stepping onto the vast stage of the Theatre Royal—one of London’s largest. Thanks to Mr Harrison, a well-known actor when he’s not assisting at Belmont, we enjoyed an exclusive backstage tour, where we met Jason Barnett and explored the inner workings of the theatre. It was a fascinating experience that we will cherish for years to come. Elodie, Millie, Zoe, and Alaia will always be able to say they’ve stood on that legendary stage—what a memory!

A huge thank you to Mr Harrison and Jason Barnett for making this unforgettable experience possible!

Mrs L Russo
Head of Drama