As part of the ShakespeareSchools Festival, Bruton School for Girls performed Merchant of Venice at the Lighthouse Theatre in Poole (Wednesday 11 November 2015). 

More than 26 festival nights will take place across the country from The Lighthouse Theatre in Poole all the way to the Northern Stage in Newcastle, allowing 3,000 pupils the chance to tread the boards and perform their own versions of Shakespearian plays in professional theatres.

Bruton School for Girls’ version of Merchant of Venice was given a modern twist and was set in a Las Vagas casino!

Mrs Rebecca Hurstwaite, Head of Drama at Bruton School for Girls, explained: “Many students dread the idea of Shakespeare but this festival has been a superb way of showing how modern and relevant Shakespeare’s plays are in today’s theatre.

“The girls have thrown everything into their performance and I was so proud of their energy, enthusiasm and professionalism – they really did look like west end performers!”

Mrs Hurstwaite was ably assisted by current Sixth Former and Drama Scholar, Tierney Chappell, who is currently awaiting responses following auditions with the Old Vic Bristol, RADA and LAMDA.

For more details of the Drama scholarships available see the school’s website: www.brutonschool.co.uk/scholarships