Last week, over 3 nights, the Nayland Drama Company put on their annual performance. This year was an adaption of A Midsummer Night's Dream, called Dream On.

The Nayland Drama Company is a student-run club, where students rehearse throughout the year to put on a production. Although they get some general guidance from a drama teacher, the rehearsals and direction of the play are all in the students' hands.

This year, the production was helmed by Year 13 students Sophie Hampson and Brodie Seelen, with ex-student Ruby Lucas helping as well. Sophie described the play as a modern update on Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, with modern, teen-centric dialogue, along with contemporary costumes and settings. Sophie said that it would hopefully provide 'an easier way to enjoy Shakespeare' for a teenage audience.

According to Sophie, this was a far bigger production than in previous years, something that could be put down to the growth of the Drama Company in general.

“We normally do a showcase of different performances or a bigger play, but I think this is one of the biggest plays the Drama Company has ever put on,” Sophie said. “It was really cool. We had a big cast, so we needed a big play to be able to (include everyone.) Ms Davidson (Head of Performing Arts) had done this play at her old school, so we thought it would be really cool to do it so that everybody had a role."

The performance proved to be very popular with Nayland students and their families.

"We booked out all three of our nights," Sophie said. "We couldn’t have that many people sitting in the audience because of social distancing, but it's still cool that lots of people came to see it.”

Year 10 students Ronan Hoskins and Aria Page are members of the Drama Company and acted in the performance. Aria played the role of Quince, a director who is directing a play within the play itself. Ronan had the part of Egeus, a father conflicted about who his daughter is going to marry.

Both students said they thoroughly enjoyed the experience, relishing the freedom that came from being in a student-run production.

"Being able to build up a character over time and being able to work with more than one set of people than the ones you generally work with, was great," Ronan said.

"And to be playing around with the different character types," added Aria. "My character was more of an aggressive character, yelling quite a lot. It was interesting doing that portrayal with other actors and characters.”

"We got more creative freedom," Ronan explained.

“You certainly have more control over how you are acting and portraying the character than you normally would,” Aria said.

Although the acting and performance aspect of the drama company is a big drawcard, both students enjoyed the social aspect of being part of the Drama Company as well.

“There’s a lot of goofs. A lot of the actors in it are fairly close," Aria said.

"We all get along as one big family," Ronan added.