Drama
Each year Oakham presents an eclectic programme of drama productions that demonstrates our commitment to drama as a crucial form of creative expression. This means we value our smaller, internal projects that give opportunities to enthusiasts as much as we value our acclaimed high profile productions. Professional specialists within the Department offer the opportunity for pupils of all ages to direct, design, learn technical skills, act, stage manage and pursue most lines of theatre activity.
There is theatre available for all members of the School. We are not afraid to be ambitious, bold, challenging and occasionally controversial.
There are five major productions in the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, known colloquially as The QET, each year. Separate productions are presented by groups studying the subject as an academic discipline, where students are encouraged to produce plays independently. Touring is an important part of the Oakham drama tradition and productions are regularly taken overseas and to the Edinburgh Fringe.
There is an extraordinarily rich tradition of Old Oakhamians in the performing arts, such as: Katie Mitchell (director), Matthew Macfadyen, Greg Hicks, Richard Hope, Annabel Apsian (all actors), Miles Jupp (comedian) and Andy Harries (film producer). Between them, these OOs cover the country's great theatre institutions (The National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company), the cutting edge of modern theatre companies (Complicite and Shared Experience); they bridge stand-up comedy and eclectic Channel 4 drama and they include an Oscar winner: an astonishing collection of talents.
That these, and future, talents are fulfilled is due in no small part to the exceptional Oakham staff who bring a wealth of hands-on experience to their teaching. Their interests and personal experiences are wide-ranging and incorporate all aspects of drama on stage and screen - performance, production, direction and behind the scenes.