Drama
The Westgate School has an excellent reputation for producing outstanding school productions. These exciting events unite us in celebrating the considerable acting and musical talents of our students. Many pupils will take part in productions during their school career and an increasing number are invited to contribute to the planning and organisational aspects, reflecting our commitment to 'Pupil Voice'.
Recent Drama Productions
2009 ‘Grease’ – an electrifying production that took the school by storm and gave over 50 pupils a place in the spotlight
2008 'We Will Rock You' - springing from a workship during Enrichment and Enterprise Week 2008, this production of the Queen-inspired musical was a huge success
2008 ‘Into the Woods’ a charming, slick musical-comedy by Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine.
‘The Crucible’ by Arthur Miller – a chilling tale of fear and revenge, of witch-hunting and justice.
2006 ‘Bugsy Malone’ – Alan Parker’s gangster slapstick masterpiece – and a stage full of splurge!
‘The Tempest’ & ‘Twelfth Night’ – Westgate School honoured to have two plays entered into the same round of the Shakespeare Schools Festival.
2005 ‘The Canterbury Tales’ by Chaucer / comically adapted in all its coarse glory by Martin Riley
‘Samurai’ - part of the National Theatre’s ‘Connections’ programme. This production was one of a few in the region selected to be performed at the Brighton Dome.
2004 ‘Arson About’ - this was the premiere of a new play for which secured funding from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, with performances at Theatre Royal Winchester.
‘The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents’ - this adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s Carnegie-prize-winning novel involved an 80-strong cast working with professional artists.
2003 ‘The Musicians’ - part of National Theatre’s Connections programme. The production was staged in partnership with The Gantry Youth Theatre as a double-bill at Theatre Royal Winchester.
2002 ‘Lark Rise To Candleford’ a stage adaptation of this charming tale of rural life.
In addition to school productions, the Drama Department organises numerous smaller, studio performances and showcases throughout the year.
Wise Moves Dance
I am delighted to inform you that a stunning video featuring Westgate pupils' work with 'Wise Moves Dance' in July 2010 is now available to view online.
In the project we produced a stunning open air dance set at the foot of St.Catherine's Hill. The Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail project now has a chance of winning a national competition. The Itchen Navigation Heritage Trail Project has made it through to the semi-finals of the National Lottery Awards 2011 in the Best Environment Project category.
We are up against nine other projects in our category, with the three projects with the most public votes getting through to the final stage of the competition. Voting runs from 31st May to 20th June 2011. The prize is £2000 and a TV appearence ( for the hampshire wildlife trust organisers ) on BBC1 in the autumn, and hopefully lots of good publicity for the project.
Mr Mills
Please click here to vote online