At St John’s every child is given the opportunity to shine on stage and discover the power of their own voice. Since the start of the academic year Form 4 have thrown themselves into a series of imaginative drama projects exploring the suspension of disbelief and culminating in a spectacular 'Evening of Greek Myths'. Each class took on a different tale including Jason, Medea and the evil Harpies, Theseus, Aegeus, Minos, Ariadne, and the Minotaur, and Hermes, Odysseus, Circe, and Poseidon. Together they transformed the stage into a world of heroes, monsters, gods and impossible quests.
Prior to their production, the children investigated how performers use imagination to build a world the audience is willing to believe in. This became especially exciting as each class explored the unique demands of its myth. Jason’s group worked on the tension of facing the Harpies who tormented King Phineas, and experimented with how to show Medea’s sharp intelligence and magical presence. The Theseus ensemble explored the emotional stakes of Aegeus’ worry, Minos’s authority, Ariadne’s courage and the looming danger of the Minotaur deep within the labyrinth. The Odysseus group brought to life the trickiness of Hermes, the enchantments of Circe and the unpredictable fury of Poseidon as Odysseus struggled to return home.
The children showed impressive focus, inventiveness and ensemble spirit. Their commitment to bringing their myths to life deepened their understanding of theatrical conventions and empowered them as thoughtful, expressive young performers.
Ensemble play-making tasks helped pupils stage their myths using only minimal resources such as sticks, black cloth, simple frames, and shared focus. Pupils drew on key drama skills including physicality, vocal expression, spatial awareness and collaborative imagination. Each class used these tools to reflect the mood and energy of its myth. Jason’s group layered sound and gesture to create the chaos of the Harpies. The Theseus ensemble used dynamic movement and stillness to build suspense as Theseus journeyed deeper into the labyrinth. The Odysseus group used fluid physicality and atmospheric sound to evoke magic, danger, and the power of the gods. Through this work pupils discovered how the body can tell a story and how shared focus can create moments of real theatrical magic.
At St John’s these experiences sit at the heart of our Drama curriculum. We value group devising, creative problem solving, and the use of voice, body, and imagination as expressive tools. The Greek myths project offered a rich opportunity for pupils to apply these skills in a playful, challenging, and artistically ambitious context.
Drama at St John’s continues to be a place where stories come alive and where every child is encouraged to step forward, take part, and shine.