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The group almost literally hit the ground running on their arrival. A quick check-in at the hotel right by the London Eye, and it was off to Pineapple Studios for a ‘Cabaret’ dance workshop with a former original cast member. After a matinée performance of ‘Cabaret’ at the Playhouse Theatre, which has been beautifully reimagined into the famous Kit Kat Club, it was a quick option for dinner and off to enjoy an evening show - ‘The Devil Wears Prada’.
And that was just day one!
Unsurprisingly, interest in participating in the LCIS London Theatre trip is high. Students can’t just sign up and go but must apply for one of the coveted spots, with their proven interest and involvement in theatre and performance being assessed. It’s important that students are ready to dive into the experience with full energy, focus and commitment. It is students who will gain the most from the wide range of incredible learning opportunities, as well as the chance to showcase their own skills in front of industry professionals, who are chosen to go.
“The trip offers an exceptional opportunity for Drama, Theatre, and Music students to immerse themselves fully in every aspect of theatre and performance. I am consistently impressed by their keen ability to critically analyse productions, considering elements such as direction, production values, lighting, sound design, staging, and performance. We also dedicate a significant proportion of the workshops to choreography where students learn the valuable nature of dance as a complex discipline requiring athletic commitment. Incorporating the 3 fascets of the performing arts on this trip allows for a greater appreciation of the 3 sub disciplines of Drama, Music and Dance in their entirety. As with the lessons taught back in school in collaboration with the Juilliard school in NYC, students engage with the experience on a deeper level, using all their senses, and are able to articulate their insights and reflections with remarkable clarity.”
Students are provided with a custom workbook into which they record and analyse each experience. This encourages them to view every show, workshop and tour with a critical, evaluative mindset. The booklets are completed and given in with a chance to win a prize for the most inspiring responses.
“It is always incredibly rewarding to hear how much impact a production has on a student, particularly in today’s turbulent world, where the creative world of escapism and imagination is often compromised by personal devices, and where focus for an extended period is often interrupted,” comments Mr Brooks.
The shows students see are selected to give students experience of different types of productions – musicals, plays, non-typical shows like ‘Starlight Express’ on roller-skates and ‘Come Alive’ with its circus theme, as well as a variety of staging and styles. ‘The Devil Wears Prada’, along with a few of the shows included in this year’s line-up, is performed on a traditional proscenium arch stage, while ‘Witness for the Prosecution’ takes place in a real courtroom, ‘Starlight Express’ in a purpose-built stadium and the musical/circus ‘Come Alive’ is theatre in the round.
After day one’s dance workshop, day two was Starlight Express day which started with a basic roller-skating skills class, leading into a workshop with current cast member Tom Pigram, and then a ‘Q&A’ session.
Day three included two morning workshops – comedic acting in preparation for the evening’s visit to ‘Titanique’ at the Criterion Theatre, and a choreography workshop lead by the dance captain of the musical-circus show ‘Come Alive’. Lukas McFarlane has choreographed and worked for huge stars including Pink and Taylor Swift and has choreographed for TV shows including The X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing along with global brands and huge live shows. Come Alive is a new theatre spectacular based on ‘The Greatest Showman’. Lukas led our bold group in a one-and-a-half-hour session learning some of the Come Alive choreography and of course answered plenty of questions!
During the trip the students made the most of the chance to talk to actors, performers, producers and directors about every aspect of their careers in the Arts. Something that many noticed was the diverse paths people had taken to get their foot on the ladder of their dream career. Far from transitioning smoothly from drama school, dance school or university, many of those interviewed had carved their own path through hard work, determination and a refusal to take no for an answer.
On Saturday there was a revealing ‘behind the scenes tour’ around the three theatres and associated facilities at the National Theatre of Great Britain before experiencing the matinée performance of musical ‘Mean Girls’ and the huge spectacular ‘MJ the Musical’ in the evening.
With the workshops and the chance to talk to professionals, our students really tapped into the energy of the London theatre scene – very much from a behind-the-scenes perspective. Having the fitness, skill, stamina and resilience to rehearse hard and to perform these shows up to eight times a week is no mean feat. Mr Brooks was proud of the respect the group had for the work of everyone they met, and that they stepped up with absolute commitment to every activity.
“The group's energy soared throughout the trip, driven by the dynamic atmosphere of London, the captivating performances we attended, and the inspiring workshops that opened up new possibilities for the students. The excitement was further amplified by the incredible people we met along the way—their enthusiasm was infectious, making the entire experience even more exhilarating.”
The final theatrical experience before taking the plane home on the final day was the immersive theatre of the London Dungeons. A great reminder that theatre and performance is not limited to performances on a stage or in a dedicated performance space, but includes immersive museum experiences, theme park attractions and burlesque, creating an atmosphere interacting with and reacting to the audience.
This extraordinary trip is far more than just watching theatre—it is a fully immersive, hands-on experience that brings students into the beating heart of London’s world-class performing arts scene. From exclusive workshops with industry professionals to critically analysing diverse productions and gaining behind-the-scenes insights, our students don’t just witness theatre—they live it. The energy, passion, and dedication they bring to this experience is enhanced by the inspiration from the performers, directors, and creatives they meet along the way. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that broadens horizons, sparks ambition and deepens their understanding of theatre as both an art form and a career. For those lucky enough to take part, the LCIS London Theatre Trip is an unforgettable and transformative journey—one that continues to inspire long after the final curtain call.
