THEATRICAL JOURNEY FOR TRIO OF SIBLINGS AT REPTON

Repton's latest drama production of ‘Blood Wedding’ featured a unique collaboration between three siblings: Joseph, Ben, and Tess, who all brought their individual talents together on the 400 Hall stage. 

For Joe, in the Upper Sixth, the play marked a significant moment in his Drama journey at Repton. What made this production distinctive was the involvement of his two younger siblings, Ben and Tess, creating an interesting family dynamic both on and off stage. 

"This is the first time that we have all collaborated on a project together," Joe explained. "While we're quite competitive in sporting environments, during the play we were particularly supportive of each other, especially as it was outside both my brother and my sister's usual comfort zones." 

Tess, who joined Repton in B Block this year, had watched her brothers perform before joining the school. "I had seen Joe on stage for his three plays and Ben for his last two," she shared. "This production, being Joe's final play, was an opportunity I was keen to take." 

Ben took on the role of light coordinator, bringing technical expertise to the production after previously working backstage with props and set changes. The play provided a chance for the siblings to spend more time together during the busy school day. memorable. Tess recalls a heartwarming moment in the dress rehearsal when she was saying her lines: “I look to my left and I see Joe looking at me in the wings, and then I look up at the tech box and I see Ben smiling at me from up there.” 

Although a dark and tragic play, the production wasn't without its lighter moments. Joe recalled a technical mishap that added unexpected drama: "With my brother controlling the lights, there was a slight malfunction on the final night. When my character was supposed to be killed, I was walking off stage in a blackout, but he mistimed his cue and turned the lights on, revealing I was not actually dead!" 

Each sibling gained valuable insights from the experience, including an appreciation for the work that goes into theatrical productions. "I learned how much effort both Ben and Joe put into the play," Tess commented. "I never fully understood the behind-the-scenes work before." 

The ‘Blood Wedding’ performance run highlights Repton's commitment to providing opportunities for pupils to explore their talents, work collaboratively, and support one another across different year groups. Our thanks go to Joe, Ben and Tess for demonstrating the spirit of collaboration that makes Repton's theatrical productions so engaging. 

Learn more about Drama at Repton School.