Last week, our Year 11 Drama students enjoyed an unforgettable theatrical experience when they travelled to the Theatre Royal Nottingham to watch Blood Brothers the Musical. The trip provided them with a unique opportunity to see their GCSE set text brought vividly to life on stage.
Written by Willy Russell, Blood Brothers tells the powerful story of twin brothers separated at birth, one raised in poverty and the other in privilege, whose lives intertwine with tragic consequences. The play explores themes of class, fate, friendship and family, making it a rich text for both performance and analysis in the students’ Drama GCSE.
In addition to seeing the live production, students were treated to an exclusive in-school workshop with Joe Sleight, who plays Edward Lyons in the current tour. Over the course of two hours, Joe guided them through key scenes from the play, helping them to unpick character choices, staging, and the impact of Russell’s social and political commentary. Students also had the chance to take part in a lively Q&A session, where Joe shared insights into the theatre industry and his own journey as a professional actor.
The workshop proved to be an inspiring and enriching experience, giving students a fresh perspective on the play while also offering valuable exam preparation. Many commented on how exciting it was to work directly with a cast member and to see how the professional production choices linked to their own classroom studies.
This combination of live theatre and professional workshop provided a brilliant opportunity for our students, bringing their set text to life, deepening their understanding, and sparking enthusiasm for both their upcoming exams and the world of theatre itself.
