This year, we are using our new studio to perform a series of smaller, less well known plays. We have already seen an excellent performance of Blythe Spirit by the Lower Sixth and, on Tuesday, we saw a powerful performance by the Lower Fifth of DNA, an eye-opening story about gang culture and power, by Dennis Kelly. Friends and family were invited to watch the performance, which made good use of the new blocks and traverse staging in the Helen McCrory Studio Theatre to give it an appropriately modern feel.

Kamila Abdulhamidova, who played Cathy, has said of the performance:

“DNA was an exciting experience for all of us. The story and the characters drew me to the play and I couldn’t wait to perform it to an audience. The storyline involves a gang that is involved in the murder of their classmate, played by Sophie Mehra. It was a completely new experience acting in a play with such mature and dark themes.

From Phil (played by Delaney Grey), a criminal mastermind, to Leah (played by Thalia Govotsis and Tati Du Cann), an obsessive teenage girl, DNA has a story that changes the narrative of secondary school bullying. Playing my character Cathy, one of the most ruthless characters in ‘DNA’, was a challenge that I was happy to accept as I was so intrigued by her.

From rehearsals to learning lines, there wasn’t a point where I was ever tired of DNA; there are so many different interpretations of the characters and I’m grateful I got to experiment with my portrayal of mine. 

All the actors did a spectacular job in portraying their characters; some even had the challenging task of performing multiple which they excelled at with ease.

The entire cast gave it their all and it was a spectacular evening of theatre.”

Thank you so much to all who attended to support the girls and congratulations to our performers for producing a moving and thought-provoking piece.