Performance Sees Judges Create New Award at National Drama Festival

Sixth Form student Will Edwards has returned from The Sunday Times’ National Student Drama Festival with the Judges’ Award for Enterprise, a new award created this year in direct response to Will’s outstanding input into his production of Harold Pinter’s The Dumb Waiter. 17 year old Will, together with fellow RGS student Alex Smith, performed Pinter’s classic comedy of menace and suspense as part of the Scarborough based Festival. The annual drama festival showcases the best student theatre from across the UK with a week-long programme of performances. The two sixth formers were the only school aged students to take part in the event.

Alex and Will’s production of The Dumb Waiter was one of just 12 plays to make it to the final festival line up and was selected from over 100 performances nationwide. A festival selector attended a performance of The Dumb Waiter held at the school back in February and then confirmed that the production had made it through to the festival itinerary in March. Competing with other entrants from college or university, Will, Alex and their Stage Manager Lance Lohse were the only school students to make it through to the final programme.

Commented Sarah Branston, Head of Drama at Reigate Grammar School: “I am extremely proud that Will and Alex had the drive to enter the festival in the first place and that their hard work and talent paid off with both selection for the line up and a brand new award inspired by their efforts. Will took on full responsibility for this project at the same time as studying for his final A Level exams later this summer. The fact that they were the youngest students is testament to their acting stage craft and professional approach. This is RGS’ second success at the National Student Drama Festival following student Fiona Clift’s win of the acclaimed Buzz Goodbody Director’s Award back in 2004.”

Reflecting on his week in Scarborough, Will said:” NSDF was a fantastic experience, and I can’t even begin to tell you how many things I learnt. I met some amazing people, saw some brilliant theatre and participated in some invaluable workshops. I feel privileged to have been able to take part in such a renowned festival”

April 2008