Student-directed production takes to the stage in Sixth Form Theatre

In the first week of December, pupils will take to the stage in a student-directed production of An Inspector Calls, the opening production in our new Sixth Form theatre. 

Director Lily-Ella Barnard (L6GRO) brings her own twist to J.B. Priestly’s 80-year-old morality play, in her production, the inspector will be played by a female actor. 

She said: “When I decided to stage An Inspector Calls, I knew that I wanted the inspector to be female. I was interested to see how a female inspector could give more of a voice to Eva Smith, the victim in the play. 

“Our inspector is played by Immy Aldridge and she has done an amazing job of re-imagining the character, which has helped me present the play from a more feminist perspective.”

An Inspector Calls takes places on a single evening and tells the story of the Berling Family who are visited by an inspector investigating the suicide of a young woman, Eva Smith. Over the course of the evening, the inspector reveals how each of the family members may have played a role in the woman’s death.

Since taking on the role of Director, Lily-Ella has been involved in every aspect of staging the play from conducting initial auditions to coordinating rehearsals, and even designing the poster to publicise the two-show run. 

Lily-Ella again: “I have really enjoyed the directing process; it has been hard work but I’ve learned a lot. Even though I don’t study Drama any more, this is something I have wanted to do for a while.

“I have often helped out backstage at the big school productions and I enjoy being a part of the team and putting on a show but as someone who suffers from stage fright, being on the stage was never an option for me!”

Director of Drama, Clare Howdon, is looking forward to the opening night. She said: “Rehearsals have been going well and it’s shaping up to be a great show. 

“I am really pleased that the opening production in the Sixth Form Theatre will be our annual student-directed show. It is an important part of our drama calendar and the Sixth Form Theatre is the perfect stage for Lily-Ella’s play.”

Tickets are now available for performances on Tuesday, 5 and Thursday, 7 December in the Sixth Form Theatre. Tickets cost £5 each and can booked online now. 

Click below for a selection of images from the rehearsals:

[Show slideshow]