Drama
Students at WGS have amazing performing arts facilities. Our purpose-built Hutton Theatre provides a modern professional venue ensuring that our student actors and technical support have outstanding physical resources at their fingertips.
Drama is taught from Year 7 upwards and there are two school productions each year, one for the lower school and one for seniors. Students can audition for lead or supporting roles or help with sound, lighting and stage management. Pride & Prejudice, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Jason and the Argonauts, Macbeth and Shakespeare in Love are just some of our recent productions all performed to a sell-out audience.
LAMDA Acting and lessons are available at weekends and students can pursue their studies at GCSE as well as A Level. Many of our former pupils are now writing, performing and working on the professional stage.
Me’sha Bryan (OW 2001)
Me’sha was cast as lead role Celie in the UK Tour of The Color Purple in 2022.
Based on Alice Walker’s novel, ‘The Color Purple’ was adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, Allee Willis, Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray and playing Celie was no mean feat as the character was barely off stage.
Jason Battersby (OW 2018)
Jason Battersby studied Theatre Studies, Art and English Literature at WGS.
He graduated from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a First Class Honours Degree in Musical Theatre Performance.
Music
Our purpose-built Music block is appropriately situated at the heart of the campus, enthusing all who pass with the beautiful melodies that exude from the building.
Housing two recital rooms, a music technology suite and eight practice rooms, it is always a hive of activity with over 100 private instrumental lessons taking place each week. The main school hall known as Big School offers an additional venue for larger concerts.
Music has always been celebrated at WGS and in addition to curriculum Music lessons, Music GCSE and A Level, there are countless opportunities to become involved in the musical life of the School. Extra-curricular music groups range from String ensemble, Big Band and Orchestra. As well as our instrumental groups we also have several vocal groups including Chamber Choirs and Acapella groups for both boys and girls. Students will explore a wide range of musical styles, from film music to classics, from pop through to theatre.
Students have further performance opportunities with termly concerts and a special Music Scholars’ Concert held in the Spring term is always a highlight. This celebrates the School’s most gifted musicians from Year 7 through to Upper Sixth.
To find out more about our Year 7 and Sixth Form music scholarships which offer up to 25% fee remission, please visit our Scholarships & Bursaries page.
Instrumental Tuition
Over 100 individual music lessons take place each week.
Extra-Curricular
Ensembles, choirs and music groups and plenty of performance opportunities.
Me’sha Bryan (OW 2001)
Me’sha was cast as lead role Celie in the UK Tour of The Color Purple in 2022. Based on Alice Walker’s novel, ‘The Color Purple’ was adapted for the stage by Marsha Norman, Allee Willis, Brenda Russell and Stephen Bray and playing Celie was no mean feat as the character was barely off stage.
Me’sha’s theatre credits include: understudy Sarah in Ragtime (Piccadilly Theatre), Vocalist in Been So Long (The Young Vic), Shenzi in The Lion King (UK Tour), Deloris Van Cartier in Sister Act (Dublin), Young Girl in Desire Under The Elms (Sheffield Crucible), Washing Machine in Caroline Or Change (Hampstead Theatre / Playhouse Theatre), Amiens in As You Like It (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre) and Suzanne/Mimi in Romantics Anonymous (Bristol Old Vic).
Me’sha works extensively as a session singer and vocal coach, and has also worked on screen. She has recently returned to WGS to share her experiences with current students.
Jason Battersby (OW 2018)
Jason Battersby studied Theatre Studies, Art and English Literature at WGS. He graduated from the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance with a First Class Honours Degree in Musical Theatre Performance.
Jason’s first role was as Lead Shadow at Leeds Playhouse in their Christmas 2021 production of Wendy and Peter Pan, followed by the role of Junior in Crazy for You in the West End, directed by Broadway legend Susan Stroman, at the Chichester Festival Theatre. The show ran from July to September 2023 and included music and lyrics by George and Ira Gershwin. Jason returned to Neverland in the title role of Peter Pan in the 2022-2023 pantomime season at the York Theatre Royal, starring in the All New Adventures of Peter Pan.
In 2025 he returned to the West End in Just for one day. He has also worked in repertory theatre, UK touring productions and pantomimes.