Theatre Studies

Theatre Studies at Barnard Castle School has continued to develop and thrive. The refurbishment of Big School as a superb venue for Performing Arts has given us a fully equipped, flexible space for drama productions. The dedicated Drama Room allows for more intimate performances. The highly successful introduction of Theatre Studies at AS and A2 Level has moved drama at Barney into a new dimension.

We currently run a full and diverse schedule of performances for all ages, engaging pupils within their curricular study and across a full activities programme. Recent school productions have included "Stepping Out", "Copacabana", "Fwog Pwince", "Blood Brothers" and "We Will Rock You".

In recent years several pupils have gone on to follow old boy Kevin Whately, pusuing professional careers. Most recently Luke Kelly has trod the boards at the Sunderland Empire, and Sarah Green played Glinda in "The Wizard of Oz" at Durham Gala Theatre.

Whether pupils wish to become involved in performance, staging, lighting and sound, or costume and make-up, there is both opportunity and professional support to encourage them.

Whether or not pupils take a formal qualification in Drama, involvement ensures that they greatly enhance communication skills; verbal and non-verbal, as well as self-confidence. These skills are clearly transferable to any career path, and it is the increasing recognition of that which is promoting the subject so successfully in our top universities.