Parents were welcomed to the College in early October for this year’s Hurst in Rep Drama Festival, which showcased the work of our Shell and Remove Scholars. Over three days, the programme followed a rotating schedule: two productions were performed each day, allowing audiences to experience a different combination of plays at each performance.
The festival encourages independence, with Upper Sixth students directing and organising their productions. Younger pupils then bring these visions to the stage, gaining valuable experience in performance and collaborative work.
Alice in the Upper Sixth directed The Grandfathers, a powerful and poetic exploration of youth, war, and identity. Set in an unnamed country that feels eerily close to our own, the play follows eight teenagers conscripted into military service, forced to navigate the brutal transition from civilian life to soldierhood. The result is a haunting, darkly comic anthem for a generation caught in the crossfire of ideology and duty.
Seb, also in the Upper Sixth, directed Salt. Dawn King’s play centres on a government initiative that offers the promise of opportunity overseas. A group of teenagers boards a transport ship full of dreams, only to discover that a darker truth lies beneath the surface. Set against a backdrop of generational change and uncertain futures, the production presented a powerful reflection on choice, resilience, and the courage to forge your own path.
The Beauty Manifesto, directed by Upper Sixth students Ella and Charlotte, brought a dystopian world to the stage. Nell Leyshon’s script, set in a society where cosmetic surgery is compulsory at sixteen, questions the pursuit of physical perfection. The pupils engaged thoughtfully with the play’s critique of image culture in a selfie-driven world and its impact on young people.
Across all three days, audiences were impressed by the dedication of the directors, the commitment of the pupils, and the ambition behind each production. The festival continues to be an important part of drama at Hurst, offering enriching experiences for both performers and viewers alike.
