Complicité Devising Workshop

On Thursday 18th September students taking A-Level and GCSE Drama were lucky enough to take part in a devising workshop with professional director Josie Daxter. Josie has worked extensively with Complicité on a variety of projects and collaborations for over ten years, and gave our students an enlightening and inspiring insight into what devising can be and how to create compelling theatre from scratch. 

Students learned about the ‘Seven Levels of Tension’ as a way to create character, which was both challenging and fun - and particularly entertaining to identify which members of staff existed at which ‘level of tension’! There was also a fascinating insight into the devising process for the Complicité show “A Disappearing Number” which culminated in students creating their own short piece and getting a chance to improve it after feedback too. 

Mr Randall said “We are so lucky to have had this experience and to have worked with such a successful and storied director. This isn’t an opportunity a lot of students will have.”

Nicole in Year 11 said “We loved being able to work with an industry professional. It was so exciting to have the chance to just work on something for the sake of it, not towards exams - it felt like really being an actor.”

The Ruislip High Drama Department is very grateful to Complicité and SLT for giving us the opportunity to take part in this event, and hopes to see more involvement with Complicité next year too.