The Winter’s Tale
Fifteen girls from the Fifth Form took part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival and performed a half hour production of ‘The Winter’s Tale’ in a professional theatre at Norden Farm Arts Centre in Maidenhead. The girls had only had three weeks to prepare their ensemble piece and Claire Sutton, Head of Drama and Irene Airton, extra-curricular Drama coordinator, were delighted with the result. The girls performed for fellow pupils, staff and parents at the successful Richard’s Hall dress rehearsal before moving to the professional stage.
The Winter’s Tale is a tragic-comedy in the best Shakespearean tradition. It is set in the court of King Leontes. The Shakespeare Schools Festival (SSF) charity is the largest youth drama festival in the UK. Since its inception in 2000 it has put 75,000 young people on the stage. It is partnered, for the first time this year, with the National Theatre and the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.
The Festival appraisers were highly impressed and provided the following feedback:
"The Cast of the Abbey School put on a highly professional production of The Winter's Tale. Original and energetic, it was fresh and interesting to watch at all times. The use of movement was well placed and the choreography was in complete keeping with the nature of the piece. A really well rounded cast, who had that air of passion and enjoyment in their work, which so nicely transfers itself to the audience to make it an enjoyable experience for them too."