Raha does Shakespeare!

So it’s time for week two of our blog.  If the weeks keep flying by like this, our auditorium will be up and ready in no time. (Picture dated Jan 27th 2016)

We have had a heavy Shakespeare influence in school since writing the last blog,  with the Grade 6-9 theatre trip to Dubai to watch ‘Romeo and Juliet’.  Due to other commitments I was unable to attend but I hear it was a great production and a great benefit to the students and their English Studies.  The Great Bard’s work also popped in to the Drama Department with a visiting ‘Artist in Residence’ Lizzie Conrad Hughes from London.  She delivered a Shakespeare workshop to grade 10 -12 Drama students to enlighten them in the techniques to read, understand and perform his work.

In the words of our Head of English Andrew Tomlinson "On Wednesday, 20th January, three hundred Grade 6, 7 and 8 students ventured to Dubai to take in Shakespeare4Kidz latest production: Romeo and Juliet. As usual, the Shakespeare4Kidz team turned Shakespeare's play on its head and this was a rock n roll bonanza! Set in 1950s Verona, the cast cavorted, crooned and crazily boogied through the two-hour traffic of Shakespeare's play. It wasn't just tragedy, however, as Peter had us rolling in the aisles from start to finish!

Overall, a great day out was had by all. The students were able to experience live drama and it reinforced their understanding of the plays they are studying in English."

Elsewhere we have successfully launched new arts ECPs in PYP Drama and Cross-cultural story-telling and Drama, Zumba@kids and Yoga  as well as the continuation of the ever popular Senior Choir, Band.

The auditorium is growing day by day and is becoming an impressive sight as you drive past Raha.  It will be even more impressive once we can begin advertising the events we will be hosting.

We have had a tragic start to the year in the arts world with the sad loss of musicians David Bowie and Glenn Frey and the very talented actor Alan Rickman. They all achieved great things in their too short lives and leave us with great many memories.  So as I promised to end every blog with famous quotes, I can think of no better words to close with than those of these great artists.

“Tomorrow comes to those who can hear it coming” – David Bowie 1947 – 2016

“Acting touches nerves you have absolutely no control over”  - Alan Rickman 1946 -2016 

“If only life could be a little more tender and art a little more robust” – Alan Rickman 1946-2016

“I’ve read somewhere that when you’re writing you should stop while you are doing well so you always want to get back to work”   Glenn Frey 1948 – 2016

Until next time……..                  

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