Now in its 51st year, the National Theatre is home to some of Britain’s best loved plays.
On January 15, it was time for the drama students of Spalding High School to attend a movement workshop and viewing of one of their more recent productions “From Morning to Midnight”: an innovative piece of German Expressionism.
The two hour workshop, under the guidance of the show’s movement director, explored the impact of movement within productions. Direct focus was placed onto the works of Steven Berkoff, who has pioneered modern day British theatre.
Following a series of warm up exercises, the group was divided into three sub-groups that were each given the same tasks of completing movement routines, incorporating the use of chairs, which would reflect the inner qualities of a character.
The results varied significantly, yet the impact of each scarcely differed in resonance. The message of the workshop was explicitly clear, enforcing the necessity of carefully staged movement within theatre, an approach that will benefit all drama students in their careers in theatre.
Following a leisurely lunch along Festival Pier, the students made their way to the Lyttleton Theatre for the performance. Originally written by George Kaiser and adapted by Dennis Kelly, “From Morning to Midnight” follows a bank clerk, played exquisitely by Adam Godley, on his voyage to enlightenment after absconding with 60,000 marks. The play encompasses both the dark horrors of life and light comic relief through the clerk’s naivety; a capitulating approach to theatre.
The trip proved to be a most informative day for the students and has been hugely beneficial to their study of German Expressionism and live theatre performance. Particular thanks to both Mrs Tanwen Fisk and Mrs Joyce Easton for providing such an excellent opportunity for the pupils.