Performing Arts Highlights

Flash Mob

On a hot, sunny Sunday, our Performing Arts students wowed shoppers on Chiswick High Road with a surprise flash mob.

Around 40 students arrived inconspicuously before taking up their positions along the high street. One student began playing the guitar, pretending the amplifier was not working. Another student, who appeared to be fixing it, accidentally started playing dance party classics. One by one, the other students emerged from the bewildered crowd and burst into dance.

The performance lasted around 20 minutes and included Saturday Night, The Macarena, the Noddy theme tune, and ended with YMCA, as the surrounding crowd enthusiastically joined in. It was wonderful to see so many people getting involved and, despite the heat, the students never let up with their energy and enthusiasm.

Dust Motes Dancing in the Sunbeams

Our Year 13 students presented their final production at the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes.

The play, based on the true story surrounding the atomic bomb test in New Mexico in 1945, was written by Mr Robinson. Combining drama and dance, it told the story of a dance school caught downwind of the atomic blast, leading to the tragic illness suffered by the girls years later.

The performances were a testament to the students' training over the past two years and demonstrated their readiness for the next stage of their journey, whether at drama school or university.

Rambert Showcase

We were invited to participate in a showcase hosted by Ballet Rambert, alongside Rambert's Boys Dance Group, the Royal Academy of Dance and Kingston Academy.

We performed four pieces, each differing in style. Our boys presented a piece choreographed by Mr Robinson, inspired by Rambert's campaign to encourage more boys to participate in dance. The group included several students who had never danced before.

We also performed two pieces by our female dancers: one by a Year 12 trio and another by our gifted and talented dancers.

It was an incredible experience, allowing our students to perform alongside some of the country's finest young dancers.

Time Givers

Our Performing Arts Choir was invited to perform for residents at a local care home.

Around 30 students performed a range of songs before spending time chatting over tea with the residents. It was difficult to say who enjoyed the afternoon more. The residents loved talking with our students, while the students thoroughly enjoyed listening to their stories.

It was a delight to watch these conversations unfold and a testament to our students' kindness, patience and compassion.

SEUSSICAL at Chiswick Food Market

With just over a week to go until opening night, we were invited to perform at Chiswick Food Market, providing the perfect opportunity to showcase a preview of Seussical.

Although the cast arrived tired after weeks of rehearsals and were once again performing in the heat, they put this aside and delivered a performance full of energy, passion and talent.

They performed seven songs from the show and helped generate excitement and ticket sales ahead of the production.

The Threepenny Opera

Brecht's The Threepenny Opera is rarely performed by school students because of its complexity. However, our Sixth Form cast relished the opportunity to take on this challenging and often misunderstood work.

The production was staged in the back room of a local pub and reimagined during the Silver Jubilee celebrations of 1977, reflecting the play's original royal setting.

The cast performed amongst the audience, frequently interacting with them and creating a truly immersive theatrical experience.

This marked the final production of the year for our Sixth Form students.

Review 'n' New

Our annual Review 'n' New showcase was once again a tremendous success.

More than 70 students performed across 22 different pieces, including audience favourites from earlier in the year alongside several exciting new performances.

Held at Hounslow Arts Centre, the evening took audiences on an emotional journey— from laughter during Oh, Mr Porter to moving contemporary dance pieces, before concluding with the emotional finale, That's What Friends Are For.

The evening also welcomed back our guest choreographer, Mrs Ellener, who worked with a small group of students to create a thought- provoking dance piece exploring climate change.

DNA

For the past three months, Year 9 students who will be studying Performing Arts in Year 10 have been rehearsing their first production, DNA.

The play follows a group of young people trying to conceal a terrible mistake and remains a firm favourite amongst young performers.

With such a large cast, we were able to expand the narrative to include additional characters. The production was staged at the Tabard Theatre to a full house and provided an excellent introduction to what students can expect over the next four years.

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL!

Finally came our end-of-year production: Seussical the Musical.

This fun-filled, surreal adventure brings together many of Dr Seuss's best-loved characters, including The Cat in the Hat, Thing One and Thing Two, Horton the Elephant and The Grinch.

Our production was staged beneath a circus tent specially constructed inside the school hall, with a cast of around 60 students dressed as clowns.

One particularly inventive feature was the use of finger puppets to represent the tiny Whos. However, perhaps the biggest surprise came from Horton himself, who appeared as a giant inflatable elephant.

For almost two hours the students sang, acted and danced almost continuously. It was an extraordinary display of stamina, creativity and talent.

Performing Arts Awards

After a year involving 130 students, 46 projects, performances across seven theatres and three national awards, we celebrated with one unforgettable Performing Arts Awards Ceremony.

On the evening, students arrived dressed to impress and had their photographs taken alongside a James Bond Lotus. As they entered the hall, beautifully decorated with balloons and table decorations, the excitement was palpable. A parent of two of our students gave the opening speech, praising the school for its inclusive and caring environment and describing the Performing Arts department as "one big family".

In total, 32 awards were presented across Drama, Dance and Performing Arts. Each category culminated in a prestigious overall award, presented by a special celebrity guest.

Presenting the Drama Award was Sue Devaney, star of Coronation Street, Dinnerladies and, of course, Jonny Briggs. She spoke about the importance of understanding that acting is not just about talent, but also about awareness, dedication and hard work. She reminded students that talent will only take you so far, but kindness and professionalism will take you even further. She then presented the Overall Dramatist of the Year award to Sixth Form student Romilly M.

Presenting the Dance Award was Dame Darcey Bussell, former Principal Dancer of The Royal Ballet, former Strictly Come Dancing judge and a passionate advocate for dance in education. Darcey spoke about the power of dance to ignite passion and creativity, as well as the dedication and discipline it develops— qualities that stay with you throughout life. She presented the Dancer of the Year award to Year 13 Performing Arts student Jacek A.

Presenting the Performing Arts Student of the Year Award were Ant and Dec. They praised the winner for being an outstanding all-round performer, recognising how challenging it is to excel across acting, singing and dance. They presented the award to Julie V C.

We were then delighted to welcome our guest speaker, Brian Conley. He spoke about how feeling nervous before going on stage is a positive sign and wholeheartedly agreed with our department motto: "Don't be embarrassed, be embarrassing!" He reflected on his own career in television and theatre, explaining how hard work and perseverance helped him establish himself in the industry, and encouraged our students never to give up on their ambitions.

Brian then presented the evening's highest honour, The 2026 Chiswick School Artist of the Year Award, to Dolly D. In addition, Dolly was awarded a scholarship to the Italia Conti Theatre Arts School to attend its Advanced Acting Summer Course.

That brings another incredible year of Performing Arts to a close. What a year it has been! We hope you enjoy watching the videos and reliving some of the wonderful memories from the past twelve months.

We can't wait to do it all again in September!

Full awards:

Drama

• Values – Charlotte
• KS3 Rising Star – Patrick
• KS4/5 Rising Star – Poppy
• KS3 Student – Sam
• KS4 Student – Lucille
• KS5 Student – Martha
• Standout Performance – Joe
• KS4/5 Performance – Alice
• Actress of the Year – Minnie
• Actor of the year – Actor
• Overall Dramatist of the Year – Romilly

Dance

• Values – Alex
• KS3 Rising Star – Marie
• KS4/5 Rising Star – Dolly
• Dance Excellence – Orla
• Dance Leadership – Miranda
• KS3 Inspiration – Hugo
• KS3 Dancer – Isa
• KS4/5 Dancer – Audrey
• KS3 Dance Performance – Darcy
• Outstanding Performance – Celia
• Dancer of the Year – Jacek

Performing Arts

• KS3 PA Student – Tom
• KS4 PA Student – Sonny
• KS5 PA Student – Esther
• KS3 Performing – Archie
• KS4/5 Performance – Frida
• Performing Arts Star – Gaby
• Performing Artist of the Year – Julie
• 2026 Chiswick School Arts Inspiration – Celia
• Headteacher's Award – Nevaeh
• 2026 Chiswick School Artist of the Year – Dolly

Performing Arts Residential at Ufton Court

As a reward for all their hard work this year, a group of Performing Arts students enjoyed an end-of-term residential visit to Ufton Court Outdoor Activity Centre, near Reading.

Set in the heart of the woodland, the centre gave students the freedom to explore the beautiful surroundings while taking part in a range of exciting activities, including team- building challenges, archery, catapult building and woodland walks.

Students from Years 7 to 10 spent the week developing their teamwork skills and strengthening the already strong friendships within the department. Evenings were spent gathered around the campfire, where, of course, there was plenty of singing!

Everyone had a fantastic time, making lasting memories and finishing the year in true Performing Arts style.