A group of our Year 8 Drama students embarked on an enriching adventure to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the FOBISIA Junior Drama Festival. This vibrant event brought together young performers from across Southeast Asia, and we were thrilled to be part of it.
The festival featured the talented Box House Theatre Company, known for their unconventional ensemble-based storytelling. Our students were captivated by their performance of "Twisted Tales," which creatively reimagined classic fairytales like “Little Red Riding Hood” and "The Tale of Ragnarr Loðbrók." This inspiring performance showcased Box House’s unique style, humour and innovative techniques, setting the stage for our students' own devised performances in the days that followed.
Throughout the festival, our students engaged in a series of dynamic workshops led by Drama specialists from across the region. These sessions explored various theatrical techniques including mime, physical theatre, spass, transitions and the use of the body as a prop. Not only did these workshops enhance their skills, but they also encouraged collaboration and fostered a spirit of creativity among the participants.
Students were organised into different theatre companies, allowing them to connect with peers from other schools. Drawing on what they had learned in each workshop, they were tasked with creating their own devised performances in the style of Box House Theatre. Each group was assigned a new fairytale to reinterpret, including stories like "Badang", "The Emperor's New Suit," and "Goldilocks." The students truly took the lead, crafting performances that were uniquely their own. The festival then culminated in a celebration of their creativity, showcasing their original devised pieces to their peers.
Year 8 had an unforgettable experience at the FOBISIA Junior Drama Festival, and we are excited to see how they will apply what they learned in their future Drama lessons. I was immensely impressed by their originality, teamwork, and supportive approach to the rehearsal process, as well as the high quality of work they produced in preparation for the final showcase. We look forward to the next festival and many more opportunities for our young performers to shine!
Bethany Clarke
Secondary Drama Teacher
