On 18 September, pupils from Wellington College Education (China) - Hangzhou had the incredible opportunity to participate in dynamic Drama workshops led by Kerry Frampton, an experienced practitioner from Splendid Productions.

Splendid Productions is a UK-based theatre company specialising in helping pupils develop their performance skills through practical, hands-on techniques rooted in Brechtian theatre and Jacques Lecoq's physical theatre methods.

Two workshops were held throughout the day, both targeting specific needs and skills for the different age groups in each session.

Our IGCSE and A-Level Drama pupils took part in the first session, which was focused on their upcoming devising coursework pieces for the exams. Kerry guided and encouraged them to explore beyond their comfort zones, think critically about how to present their ideas in a way that challenges the audience's perspective and incorporate truthfulness in their performance.

Pupils also worked on their physicality and breath control, drawing from both classical and more contemporary techniques.

High-achieving Grade 8 and Year 9 pupils were invited to take part and develop their storytelling and teamwork skills in the second workshop. Kerry encouraged them to think creatively, using improvisation and collaborative exercises to build confidence and spontaneity in performance.

The session was filled with energy, as pupils experimented with characterisation, physical theatre and narrative structure, learning how to craft engaging scenes using fairy tales as a starting point.

Both workshops were met with enthusiasm and excitement, leaving pupils inspired and eager to apply their new skills. Kerry's expertise and engaging teaching style made the sessions both educational and fun, serving as a powerful reminder of how drama can foster creativity and confidence.