Year 12 A Level Literature Theatre Visit: Dracula at the Lyric Hammersmith

 

This Autumn term, I had the pleasure of accompanying our Year 12 A Level Literature students to Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s production of Dracula. The performance provided a compelling introduction to Gothic literature with the conventions of fear, the uncanny, the blurred boundaries between the human and the monstrous brought vividly to life on stage as a bold feminist reimagining of Bram Stoker’s classic. Students were engaged throughout, responding with excitement to a show told from the point of view of the novel’s female characters.

Student Voice:

 

“I thought that Dracula had captured the female’s perspective really beautifully, it was full of raw emotion.
The way the play was written made me sympathise with Lucy as she struggled with her hidden desires and the hypocritical double standards of being a woman as she was made to seem dangerous and rogue when she was just trying to protect herself and Mina. It was thought provoking and even made me cry! Trips like these are such a pleasure and thoroughly engaging, I would love to go on more theatre trips!”

--Zainab Rahman

 

“I really liked that we got to actually go to the theatre to see Dracula instead of just watching it in class. Being there in person made it way more interesting and easier to focus on what was happening. The atmosphere of the theatre and all the lights and sound effects made it feel spooky and exciting, which fit the gothic style really well. It definitely made me pay more attention than I would’ve if we’d just watched a recording.

What stood out to me most was how amazing the acting was, the cast did such a good job showing the tension and creepy parts of the story, & they made the characters feel real. I thought the way they used expressions and movement really brought the story to life. Overall I found the whole performance really enjoyable and a lot more engaging than I expected. More in person trips would be highly appreciated!”

--Jalwa Barati

 

Our Sixth Form students represented the school well. Their thoughtful reflections were a credit to themselves and to the school community.

Thank you to everyone involved in planning and supporting the trip.

Ms. Cuaresma