An excellent day of circus skills and physical theatre

March 24th 2025

Pupils at King’s Bruton were treated to an excellent day of circus skills and physical theatre in a workshop led by Circomedia, held in the Memorial Hall and Fitzjames Theatre. The event was a resounding success, offering pupils a unique opportunity to develop balance, co-ordination, and creative expression through a dynamic carousel of activities.

Flickr album: Circus Skills and Physical Theatre Workshops - 26th March 2025 | Height: auto | Theme: Default | Skin: Default Skin

The morning sessions focused on trapeze, juggling, aerial skills, and balance-based exercises, challenging pupils both physically and mentally. With expert guidance, pupils built confidence as they explored the art of controlled movement and coordination, mastering techniques that required both strength and precision.

In the afternoon, the focus shifted to storytelling and devising, blending clowning and physical theatre with circus techniques. Although slightly apprehensive to begin with, through laughter and improvisation, pupils explored character development, comic timing, and the expressive potential of movement. This session not only reinforced performance skills but also encouraged teamwork and creativity, both key skills in devising theatre. I hope to see some of these activities applied to both the GCSE Devising and BTEC Unit 3 in U6th.

The enthusiasm from pupils was palpable throughout the day, with every participant fully engaged in the activities. The workshop successfully combined physical challenge, artistic expression, and imaginative play, leaving students inspired and eager to explore further with some looking into Circomedia's Easter and Summer Camps in Bristol.

A huge thank you to Circomedia for bringing their expertise and infectious energy to King’s Bruton - an unforgettable experience that truly embodied the magic of circus arts!

After an action-packed day of circus skills and theatre-making, pupils headed up to Bristol for an inspiring evening at the Bristol Old Vic to watch a bold new production of Romeo and Juliet. This contemporary adaptation breathed fresh life into Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy, blending dynamic staging, modern design elements, and a fast-paced energy that kept the audience enthralled. The production explored themes of love, conflict, and fate through an innovative lens, offering a thought-provoking experience that resonated with pupils, particularly links to modern politics encouraging the audience to vote via QR code for the Montague "party" or Capulet "party". The Montague Party came out on top of the poll with the audience yesterday gaining 65% of the votes!

For GCSE Drama pupils, the performance provided a valuable insight into directorial interpretation, staging choices, and physical storytelling - key components of their course. The creative use of set, lighting, and movement showcased how theatre practitioners bring Shakespeare’s text to life in fresh and engaging ways. This will be a great option for the upcoming written exam for 5^th Form and provide inspiration for devised work for 4^th Form. Meanwhile, all GCSE pupils benefited from seeing the play performed in its entirety, deepening their understanding of character motivations, themes, and language in context, albeit spliced with rap and R'n'B music. Witnessing the dramatic tension unfold live on stage enriched their analysis of Shakespeare’s text, reinforcing key skills required for their exams.

This unforgettable theatrical experience, combined with the hands-on creativity of the Circomedia workshop, made for a truly immersive and inspiring day - one that I hope will enhance pupils' confidence, appreciation of performance, and enthusiasm for the arts.

Will Stainton - Head of Performing Arts