BTEC Performing Arts students as part of their Unit 18: Interpreting Classical Theatre for Performance assessment, performed abridged performances of Shakespeare’s romantic comedy ‘As You Like It’ and Euripides’ tragedy ‘Medea’. Many students had never worked with classical text before and have found the challenge truly enjoyable.

The students have been studying three eras of Classical Theatre history: Ancient Greek Tragedy, Shakespeare (Elizabethan Jacobean eras) and 19th Century Naturalism with a particular focus on the work of Anton Chekhov.

Using Classical Theatre vocal and physical techniques such as choral performance, monologue, soliloquy, asides and heightened declamatory performance students portrayed their roles with assuredness and commitment. Audience members thoroughly enjoyed the evening. One member of the audience said:

“I thought that Shakespeare was boring, but that performance was anything but, really funny, and Medea was so atmospheric”

BTEC U6 students are now hard at work creating their devised response to their external exam Unit 3 with the starting point from a Salvador Dali painting.