Narnia

For our theatre production unit S2 have been looking at a short extract from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by CS Lewis. As well as taking on an acting role each pupil is undertaking a backstage role too:

Scott - Props manager

Alexander - Costume manager

Lara - Make up designer

Chloe - SFX technician

Beth - Set designer

Here are some photos of the back stage preparations... 

Fashion update...

Following on from my recent post about the S3/4/5 fashion design project, here are some more pictures of Jessica and Rebecca's outfits. These two outfits have taken the longest as they have required the most sewing - well done to Jessica and Rebecca for persevering! Both outfits are coming on really well and should be finished just after the February holiday week. 

The swirl pattern on Rebecca's coat was inspired by St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow.

Jessica's dress was inspired by a visit to see "Swan Lake" and the pattern is made up of repeating swan head shapes.

S2 Design project

S2 artists have been working on their design projects this term. We are looking at designing theatrical masks and headpieces for a range of characters from different productions. We have just started experimenting with different shapes and materials - here are some of our initial ideas.

Beth - The Beast from "Beauty and the Beast"

Jonathan - a bug from "A bugs life"

Ailie - a lion from "The Lion King"

Lara - an underwater queen from "The Little Mermaid"

Lamorna - The Queen of Hearts from "Alice in Wonderland"

Rebecca - a monster from "Monsters Inc"

Catwalk designs...

S3/4 and S5 artists have been working on a fashion design project as part of their Art course this year. The design folio they produce is sent away to the exam board and makes up a third of their overall mark for the course. They have really enjoyed it and have produced some excellent work:

Santina's outfit was inspired by the sea:


Some details from Gabriella's "Snow and Ice" costume:



Nico modeled Massimo's uniform for an Italian cafe inspired by the architecture of Rome:


Hannah's costume was based around a caribbean theme:


Jessica's "Swan Lake" dress is still under construction. She has based the shapes in the dress on the head and neck of a swan:


Rebecca's outfit is also in the process of being made - it is a coat themed on Russia:

Stage make - up

S2 dramatists have been looking at stage make up... some of our trials were realistic and some were fairly extravagant! It was great fun and we will use some of our ideas for a future performance of an extract from "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by CS Lewis.

Dress Rehearsals

As the time for performing our P1 - 6 Christmas production is drawing near, intensive rehearsing is well under way... The S2 drama class have been enjoying working with the primary in both acting and backstage areas and have taken on their responsibilities well. All the children involved are working very hard to learn lines, songs and dances for their roles in the play. We are looking forward to performing it and we hope you enjoy watching it too!

Sleeping Beauty

S2 & S3/4 drama students took a trip to the Theatre Royal on Thursday 11th to see Scottish Ballet perform Sleeping Beauty. Not many of the pupils had been to see a ballet before so it was quite an experience for everyone! In particular, the costumes were spectacular and the scenery very cleverly constructed. Some interesting facts we discovered about the production were that, despite all looking no older than 25, the oldest performer was actually over 40 years old and all the dancers know at least 3 or 4 different roles so they can swap round characters for each performance.

Christmas production preparations...

Yesterday Scott began making some of the props for the school Christmas production, Colours of Christmas. He made a shepherd's crook for Finlay (who is playing the chief shepherd) and some for the P1/2 boys. He worked independently using cardboard poles, wire, foam, masking tape and paint to make them and he has done a great job so far.

Today the class went to "Material Things" to buy fabric for making some of the costume accessories for the play - red scarves and gold material for the angel Gabriel. For making the scarves we had to select material that would not fray or need sewing. Eventually we chose a thickish, red fleece material.

Frohliche Weinachtsfest!

This week, in Broader Curriculum, the Christmas Across Europe group were visited by Soly from GERMANY!

We all got to taste some STOLLEN- lovely German sweet bread, traditionally made and eaten at Christmas. Christmas in Germany seems quite different to here in the UK- the pupils like the idea of celebrating St Nicholas' day early in December and getting a shoe filled with sweets!!

The highlight of the afternoon was the 'Make-your-own-gingerbread-house' kits that Mrs Mc Neal brought in... German children make these every year at Christmas. Look at the photos and see which one you think is the best
!