Since Dulwich College was originally founded by the leading Elizabethan actor, Edward Alleyn, Drama has always been an important part of College life. Through the practice of drama the boys develop confidence and self-expression while exploring the ideas that shape the world in which we live. Our aim is to imbue all of our pupils with an appreciation of theatre both as practitioners and audience.
With our own fully-equipped, purpose-built theatre (named after the founder) we are able to stage over 25 productions a year giving the boys a chance not only to act but also to direct, design, build, provide the lighting and special effects and anything else to do with stage management. An interest in dramatic production starts as early as DUCKS which produces its own show. In the Middle and Upper Schools, the productions become more lavish and often include girls from the James Allen Girls School. Many boys have gone on to perform in prestigious companies such as the National Youth Theatre and to pursue careers in the professional theatre, cinema and television.
In recent years, we have staged performances away from Dulwich at venues including The University of Warwick, Shakespeare’s Globe, The Young Vic, Greenwich Theatre and on tours to the USA. In 2008 Dulwich was represented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by ‘Upstart Crows’ a play commissioned by the Drama Department for our students, and in 2011 more than a dozen Dulwich boys took part in the Young Pleasance production of John Godber’s “Teechers”.
London Academy of Music and Drama classes form an important part of our programme. Over 120 students take LAMDA drama lesson and have achieved outstanding examination results.