Our A-Level Drama students recently travelled to London’s Phoenix Theatre to experience the spectacular stage production Stranger Things: The First Shadow and what a trip it was!

Organised by Head of Drama Mr Deamer, the visit gave Year 13 students valuable preparation for their Live Theatre exam component, while also providing Year 12 students with rich inspiration and research material for their EPQ.

From the moment the curtain rose, students were completely captivated by the gripping prequel story set in 1959 Hawkins, following Henry Creel’s unsettling journey as mysterious events begin to unfold.

The production’s blend of naturalistic acting, immersive staging and jaw-dropping special effects left students stunned, the theatre was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. It was a masterclass in technical theatre and storytelling, giving students invaluable material to draw upon in their written exams.

Beyond the performance itself, students represented the school brilliantly throughout the trip, travelling by train into London and embracing the full theatre experience with maturity and enthusiasm.

Back at school, the buzz continued as students eagerly discussed key moments, design elements and performances they can now reference in their exam responses. Experiences like this don’t just support learning, they inspire it.

A huge thank you to our fantastic students and staff for making this such a memorable and successful visit!