Taunton Prep School had an outstanding week performing at the annual Taunton Drama Festival, which took place between 13th November and 17th November. Across the week, the standard of performance was very high, and every one of the TPS pupils performing were wonderful and represented the school beautifully. This was the 109th edition of the Taunton Festival, with the first competition taking place in March 1913.

Over the course of the week, 71 TPS pupils took part in 117 different performances at the competition. From these children, 45 pupils in Years 2 to Year 8 were awarded 1st, 2nd or 3rd in various classes, which is a fantastic achievement! All pupils have proudly brought a shiny new medal or cup back to TPS over the course of Drama Festival week. Very well done to all involved! 

Some particular highlights of TPS’ Drama Festival Week were Imogen C’s wonderful performance of ‘Still I Rise’ by Maya Angelou, which not only earned her 1st place in the Year 6 & Under Verse Speaking Class, but she was awarded a mark of 90%+, which placed her in the outstanding category. Imogen was only one of three children to receive this mark during the entire week. Imogen’s wonderful performance also earnt her a place performing at the Taunton Festival of the Arts’ annual AGM at the Temple Methodist Church.

Adam T and Jaedyn Z deserve particular praise too. They performed wonderfully in the Year 7 & 8 Solo Acting Class and were also invited to perform at Thursday’s Taunton Festival of the Arts AGM, showcasing the highlights of the Taunton Drama Festival.

Please see below some of our highlights from the 109th Taunton Drama Festival: 

Imogen C – awarded 1st place and a mark of 90%/OUTSTANDING in the Year 6 & Under Verse Speaking 

Ellie O – awarded 1st place in the Year 8 & 9 Prepared Reading, 1st place in the Year 9 & Under Group Acting and 3rd Place in Year 7 & 8 Duo Acting

Izzie P – awarded 1st place in the Year 9 & Under Group Acting and 3rd Place in Year 7 & 8 Duo Acting

Oreofe O – awarded 1st place in the Year 9 & Under Group Acting

Emma J – awarded 1st place in the Year 6 & 7 Performance Poetry and 2nd place in the Year 6 & Under Duo Acting

Greg N – awarded 1st place in the Year 7 to 9 Duo Improvisation and 3rd place in the Year 6 & Under Duo Acting

Jack B – awarded 1st place in the Year 7 to 9 Duo Improvisation and 3rd place in the Year 6 & Under Duo Acting

Diya P – awarded 1st place in the Year 9 & Under Solo Performance Sight Reading and awarded 1st place in Year 7 to 9 Duo Unprepared Improvisation

Pippa J – awarded 1st place in Year 7 to 9 Duo Unprepared Improvisation and awarded 2nd place in the Year 9 & Under Solo Performance Sight Reading

Kelsie W – awarded 1st place in the Year 3 & Under Duo Verse Speaking

Georgina L – awarded 1st place in the Year 3 & Under Duo Verse Speaking

Oliver H  – awarded 2nd place in the Year 6 & Under Duo Acting and 3rd place in the Year 6 & Under Verse Speaking

Connie B – awarded 2nd place in the Year 7 & 8 Duo Acting

Finty G – awarded 2nd place in the Year 7 & 8 Duo Acting

Lucas B – awarded 2nd place in Year 7 to 9 Duo Improvisation

Henry W – awarded 2nd place in Year 7 to 9 Duo Improvisation

Sam M – awarded 2nd place in the Year 6 & Under Solo Acting

Coco K – awarded 2nd place in the Year 4 & Under Duo Verse Speaking

Willow H – awarded 2nd place in the Year 4 & Under Duo Verse Speaking

Ella H – awarded 2nd place in the Year 3 & Under Verse Speaking

Tom B – awarded 2nd place in the Year 2 & Under Verse Speaking

Adam T – awarded 3rd place in the Year 7 & 8 Duo Acting

Jaedyn Z – awarded 3rd place in the Year 7 & 8 Duo Acting

Kayra J – awarded 3rd place in the Year 5 & Under Verse Speaking

Lydia P – awarded 3rd place in the Year 4 & Under Verse Speaking

Jacob S – awarded 3rd place in the Year 3 & Under Verse Speaking

Jamie L – awarded 3rd place in the Year 2 & Under Verse Speaking

A huge congratulations to everyone who took part in the 2023 Taunton Drama Festival!

Many thanks to you all for your support in the lead up to the Taunton Drama Festival and your immense and continued support to TPS Speech & Drama! 

Written by Alastair Kirby and Janey Carden