Performing Arts

Drama

It has been a breathless half-term for co-curricular Drama, with four fantastic plays performing to sold-out audiences.

Two ill-fated dinner parties kicked off the new season as part of the Deadly Dinner Double-Feature. Remove pupils presented a hilarious production of Clue, with the classic Cluedo characters being invited to a meal at Mr Boddy’s Manner, only for one unexpected murder to follow another. ‘Being in Clue’ was a great experience, full of surprises and new people,’ said Juan G (School House), who led the cast as the curiously sinister butler, Wadsworth, and ably living up to a performance made famous by Tim Curry. In the same evening, our Lower Sixth Drama Scholars performed Moira Buffini’s Dinner, in which a series of unusual courses served at an upper-middle-class dinner party leads to shocking revelations about the diners and, eventually, death. The play was a display of the highest calibre of acting, with our young actors ably handing the fast-paced and dark wit of the play. ‘The cast felt like a family, as we supported each other throughout the process’ said Sophia H (Winfield). ‘I learned a lot about teamwork and confidence!’

Just two weeks later, our Fourth Form and Remove pupils took the stage of the professional Unicorn Theatre to perform their rendition of Shakespeare's The Winter’s Tale as part of the Shakespeare School’s Festival. Featuring a surprising twist, praise was heaped on the cast by the Festival’s practitioners for the casts deep understanding of the text and the clarity and pace of their delivery. ‘One of the biggest challenges was mastering the Shakespearean text, but it ended up being the thing I’m most proud of,’ said Drama Scholar Fliss S (Winfield), playing Florizel. ‘Once it clicked, performing it in front of an audience felt amazing’. It was a fantastic performance.

Capping the half-term was our Upper School in-the-round production of The Crucible. A 22-strong cast led by Carl TG (McClure) and Arthur H (Priestley) sharing the role of John Proctor, the show received strong acclaim from audiences for the strength of its acting throughout the entire cast. Misha G (School House), playing Judge Hathorne, was also keen to highlight how this production ‘wasn’t just actors working alone - it was a family we created and worked together to put on a production that resonated with the audience.’ Reflected on her second play in a number of weeks, Sophia H said, ‘the entire experience was honestly epic. From performing in-the-round to rehearsing with people I’ve never performed with before, the production was intense but very fun. I loved how quickly we all bonded, through many inside jokes and supporting each other when lines were tough at times. We were one big community.’

Amidst the plethora of performances, 45 pupils also found time to journey down to the purpose-built Troubadour Theatre in Canary Wharf to take in a performance of the much acclaimed production, The Hunger Games: On Stage. Featuring an absorbing in-the-round staging and suspenseful stunts and fight choreography, our pupils thoroughly enjoyed the show with particular praise going to Mia Carragher’s energetic and faithful performance of Katniss.

Music

What an exciting start to the Music programme in 2026. It’s been another busy half term, with music filling the winter skies before, during, and after the school day. We began the term with two whole days of Music Scholarship auditions, followed by three major performance events in just three weeks.

Our Music Scholars took the lead with the winter-edition Scholars’ Concert, an evening which showcased their incredible talent. We were lucky enough to hear a whole range of different genres and instruments, from the French horn to the cello, as well as singing performances from two of our Sixth Form singers who have been awarded choral scholarships at Oxford.

We also saw a new initiative this term: a week dedicated to live performances around the school, including in Chapel, to mark the birthday of Mozart and share the impact of his music over the last 200 years. Our resident composer, Ed Driver, and pupils across the school thoroughly enjoyed his Big Band samba based on Symphony No. 40, alongside opera arias, string quartets, and a whole-orchestra performance of Eine Kleine Nachtmusik. Over 80 of our musicians participated throughout the week, filling the school with a positive atmosphere and providing a fantastic showcase of musical creativity.

This half term, the Farrow Song Competition, a decades-old Mill Hill tradition and a key event in the performing arts calendar, also took place. Featuring seventy-two performances and fifty-three singers over two days, the competition gave pupils the opportunity to perform a solo in front of their peers and receive personalised feedback from professional singers adjudicating each category. There was a great range of performances, from pop to jazz to musical theatre. The standard across the competition was impressive, with some pupils even performing songs they had composed themselves. After considerable thought, the judges decided on twelve singers to go through to the finals.

The Farrow Competition final was another special evening of performances showcasing the highest level of singing across the school. Congratulations to all Finalists! They all reached new heights, and the depth and maturity of your presentation showed your star quality. Special congratulations to Sophie S who took the best Junior Prize, the Helmore Cup, along with Maj-B who won the prestigious Farrow Prize for best overall Senior singer.

Looking to next term there is much to look forward to including the Instrumental Competition, an exciting performance from Belmont and Mill Hill Musicians of Fauré’s Requiem and a Jazz evening set at International Jazz Venue, Pizza Express Live!