Durham School’s production of “Pygmalion” was a sold-out success, with one of the school’s most ambitious stages yet. The cast and crew described the show as transformative, witty, and revolutionary and they brought the story to life with detailed costumes, impressive singing, and excellent acting. We are immensely proud of all who made this incredible production happen.
A message from Head of Drama and Theatre, Amy Brownlee:
“As I reflect on our latest production, I am filled with pride and gratitude as I thank all of our talented thespians who performed in our Luce Theatre in our senior production this week. This time, I have had the pleasure of crafting my own adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's classic comedy, Pygmalion. In this reimagined version, I incorporated many of the original scenes while introducing quirky narrators from a different era, extra characters, comedic scenes, and stylized moments that breathed new life into the tale.
The Luce Theatre was transformed into a stunning end-on space, complete with raked seating for an optimal audience experience. We created a raised balcony structure adorned with pillars reminiscent of the Covent Garden setting, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the production. Our student tech and design team went above and beyond; designing a set that featured intricate 1912 details, particularly in Higgins' phonetic laboratory and the "Coach and Horses" pub and helping to create a polished and visually exciting production with gorgeous lighting, costume elements and seamless scene changes (amongst many things). As I keep telling everyone; technicians and designers make it happen!!
The cast and crew delivered outstanding performances that felt both atmospheric and professional. Our senior leads captivated the school community with their exceptional portrayals, mastering the nuances of this style of comedy, which is no easy feat. This production also held special significance, as we bid farewell to our Year 13 leavers in their final performance at the school. Many of these students began their journey with us in Year 7, taking part in Peter Pan back in 2019. Their growth and dedication to the arts over the years has been remarkable, and they will be greatly missed.
Congratulations to everyone involved! Your ambition, hard work, creativity, and immense talent make me incredibly proud. This production would not have been possible without each of you.”
Mrs. Amy Brownlee
Head of Drama and Theatre