There is an ambitious and varied annual season of productions, giving scope to many students to become involved in the theatrical life of the school. The flourishing drama scene in the school has inspired many pupils to make a career in the world of theatre and film as actors and directors. We have a new theatre space, our lecture theatre, where the school plays are staged and all students get the opportunity to watch these productions during their school day, as well as evening shows for parents. This is a wonderful learning experience for all students to watch a live theatrical performance in their own school theatre.
School Play
The annual school play is open to all students from 2nd to 5th year. This is an extra-curricular activity for students and rehearsals take place at lunchtime and after school. Most recently we staged a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic play entitled Macbeth… Reimagined (2022) which was written by Ms.Cristín Kehoe as well as past pupils, Isobel Byrne and Kate Reynolds. The production was directed by past pupils Shauna Cantwell, Caitlin Moore, Aisling Mulligan and Ms.Cristín Kehoe. We have also staged wonderfully successful productions of The Importance of Being Earnest (2019)and DNA (2018) in recent years. This year’s production will be directed by Ms. Lauren Devine and will be a 30-minute version of The Taming of the Shrew.
We are very fortunate to have also staged other original plays and adaptations in our school. In 2016, the heroes of the 1916 Easter Rising were commemorated in an original play entitled On Sackville Street and in 2017 Shakespeare on the Loose was performed by over thirty students – a modern twist on four of the studied Shakespeare texts where the heroines of Macbeth, Hamlet, King Lear and Romeo and Juliet are interviewed on the set of TV show, Loose Women.
The benefits of drama in school are broad. We have noted the physical and physiological benefits involved with movement, but more importantly, the psychological, social and emotional benefits associated with drama. Group discussion, forum theatre, pair work, freedom to express oneself without judgement and role-play in character are just some of the ways that wellbeing drama helps students to better understand themselves and be understood by others. Wellbeing drama becomes a subject within which one can express oneself freely, safely, healthily and without judgement.
There is a wealth of talent in Mount Sackville and the standard of performances are very high. Drama and music are central to our holistic education in Mount Sackville and we as a school are proud to celebrate the central role of the arts in our school community.
Past Productions
2016: On Sackville Street
2017: Shakespeare on the Loose
2017: Billy Elliot (TY musical)
2017: An Triail
2018: Singin’ in the Rain (TY musical)
2018: Pádraigín is Ainm Dom - National winners of Best Actress, Best Transition Year Play and Best Performance from a Non-Gaelscoil in An Fhéile Naisiúnta, An Cumann Scoil Drámaíochta.
2018: DNA
2019: The Crucible
2019: Jules on the Loose – The Mill Theatre Schools Shakespeare Festival Overall Winner 2019
2019: Les Misérables (TY musical)
2019: The Importance of Being Earnest
2020: Queen Lear – The Mill Theatre Schools Shakespeare Festival Overall Winners 2020
2020: Annie (as Gaeilge)
2021: All Shook Up (TY musical)
2022: Guys and Dolls (TY musical)
2022: Macbeth… Reimagined
2023: Oklahoma! (TY musical)
2024: The Taming of the Shrew
2024: My Fair Lady (TY musical)