Our Middle School Play Festival, which took place this week, gives an opportunity for Third and Fourth Formers to get stuck in to dramatic performance and build their co-operation skills across their brother-sister house combinations. Our theme this year was 'Shakespeare Retold' and whilst the bard might have been spinning in his grave at some of the liberties taken with his plays, we are sure he would have applauded the theatrical risks taken and the sense of fun generated.

Moredun and College East offered a surprisingly humorous take on Shakespeare's grimmest tragedy, King Lear, with some stand out performances from Delilah M F as Lear and the combined three sisters of Aaryan B, Leo S and Ronen A.

Carrington and College West equally impressed with a lively rendition of Macbeth or Macdeath, reimagining the play as a particularly gruesome story-time in a primary school. Yuvi S and Stella M stole the show as the dysfunctional power couple of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, with some strong cameos from Mahdi K and Toluwa J as Banquo and Macduff.

Kimmerghame and Dalmeny brought one of Shakespeare's most epic history plays to life with an impressive ensemble retelling of Henry V, utilising almost every available middle school student to bring the warring English and French armies to the stage. Some impressive set-piece moments were balanced with strong performances from Ben M as Henry V and engaging narration from Mattea L, India F, Rowan M, Donald M R, Heather H and Layla S.

Glencorse and Arniston also impressed with an engaging version of The Merchant of Venice, bringing the story of prejudice and injustice to life with some strong individual acting and good ensemble moments. Clemmie A led a pack of effective narrators, whilst the central quartet of Cian M as Antonio, Molly H as Portia, Izzy D as Bassanio and Jamie S as Shylock were hugely impressive.

Of course there could only be one winner - congratulations to Glencorse and Arniston!