Happy Friday all! We, in the drama department, hope you are enjoying settling in to slightly longer evenings and enjoying the autumnal colours as we fully enter autumn. Before we know it, 2026 will be here! But not just yet!

This week we were lucky enough to take a number of our drama learners in Years 9, 10 & 11 to Harlow Playhouse to watch Shakers (Jane Thornton) and Bouncers (John Godber). Both plays were being presented in Theatre 2 (upstairs) by Harlow Amateur Dramatic Society (HATS). One of the plays even featured our very own Mr Paddon, taking a step away from his usual daytime role of maths teacher!

Shakers kicked the evening off, a tale of four waitresses working in a cocktail bistro bar in the 80s - the era of the yuppie, perms and brightly coloured eyeshadow. The four female actors did Jane Thornton proud with their multi-role, drawing on observations of others to create a plethora of different characters that we see frequent the bar. This was followed by Bouncers, and the excellent cast of 4 males (including Mr Paddon) did a smashing job of creating scenes both inside and outside the nightclub that employs them, from punks to posh boys to a drunk girls’ night out. It was fast paced and amusing and our learners thoroughly enjoyed the ride! Pupils asked thoughtful and probing questions in the cast Q&A following the show; it was a real treat to see them consider the task the actors faced as they began their work with a show filled with so many different characters and there was a lovely sense of learning and respect for the job done by all involved in the performances. Passmores was, once again, excellently represented in our local community and our pupils were able to access some of the wonderful entertainment and arts culture we have here in Harlow.

We’ll be back with an article on our next trip to see Punch at The Apollo Theatre in London next Thursday, with our Year 10s and 11s. A reminder that this is a mandatory trip for all GCSE students as they prepare for mock exams and develop their theatre evaluation skills. Please contact j.glover@passmoresacademy.com if you have any questions regarding this trip. Details have gone out via Arbor, where you can pay for the trip for your child, if you have yet to do so.

Stay cosy and dig out your favourite jumpers as the temperatures slowly take a downward turn! We’ll be back next week with more news. TTFN