YEAR 7 and 8 actors from Budehaven Drama Club successfully performed an open-air performance of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as part of their Shakespeare Anniversary celebrations on Wednesday, June 16.

The students took over the courtyard outside of the staffroom, between 3.30pm and 4.30pm, and performed the play to an audience in a gallery, emulating the sort of performances that Shakespeare and his company would have known.

Working with teachers Mr Pearce, Mrs Cann, and Mr Haynes, the students had only five one-hour sessions to learn their parts and rehearse the 40-minute comedy production that tells the story of young lovers lost in the woods, fairies at war, and a man magically given a horse’s head.

Mr Haynes said: “We thought the torrential rain was going to ruin everything. But then the clouds cleared and we performed in glorious sunlight.”

Mr Pearce congratulated the actors on their dedication: “They had very little time to rehearse a really demanding play; they even had to organise their own costumes!”

Mrs Cann said: “The students were terrific. I think they especially enjoyed their well-deserved applause at the end.”