Young Performers Dazzle at Physical Fellowship Festival 2025!
Coventry was buzzing with creative energy as Year 7, 8, and 9 students from The Wilnecote School recently took centre stage at the highly anticipated Physical Fellowship festival 2025, an inspiring event led by the acclaimed physical theatre company, Highly Sprung. The festival offered an incredible opportunity for young performers to develop their skills, collaborate, and showcase their talents on a professional stage.
 
The journey to the spotlight began with two intensive days spent in school, where students worked tirelessly to devise and rehearse a unique physical performance. This collaborative process allowed them to explore innovative ways of storytelling through movement and expression, laying the groundwork for their big show.
The grand performance day itself unfolded at the prestigious Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, a truly professional setting that added to the excitement. The morning was packed with enriching workshops designed to broaden the students’ understanding of physical theatre:
  • 4th Monkey Drama School: Students delved into the intricacies of physical movement, learning how to use their bodies to convey emotion and narrative with precision and impact.
  • Vamos Theatre Company: A fascinating session introduced students to the art of mask performance. They discovered how powerful a performance can be without words, relying solely on exaggerated actions and gestures to communicate effectively. This workshop truly highlighted that performance can be great without the need for dialogue.
  • Highly Sprung: The creators of the Physical Fellowship shared invaluable insights into their own production, ‘S(He)’, and demonstrated some of the unique techniques they employ to craft their captivating shows. This gave students a rare glimpse into the professional world of physical theatre.
Following the workshops, a crucial technical rehearsal allowed the students to experience performing in the theatre space, ensuring their movements were perfectly aligned with the lighting and sound cues for the evening show.
The evening performance was a resounding success! The students delivered a powerful and moving piece that showcased their dedication, creativity, and the new skills they had acquired. They truly did themselves and their school proud.

Miss Julius, Head of Performing Arts, expressed her immense pride: “I am incredibly proud of our students’ dedication and the extraordinary talent they showcased at the Physical Fellowship. This experience has not only broadened their understanding of physical theatre but also instilled invaluable confidence and teamwork skills that will undoubtedly benefit their future artistic endeavours.”

One of the participating students, Charlie, Year 7, shared his excitement: “Working with professional companies like 4th Monkey and Vamos Theatre was amazing! Learning to perform with masks was really cool, and it showed me how much you can say without speaking. The whole day was brilliant, and performing on the Belgrade stage was an unforgettable experience.”

The skills gained throughout this immersive experience, from mastering physical storytelling to understanding the nuances of non-verbal communication, will be instrumental as these students progress towards their GCSE performances. The students’ performance, a culmination of their creative journey, was inspired by “The Lotus Eaters” from Homer’s epic poem, The Odyssey, and told a compelling story through movement. This experience truly highlighted the power of non-verbal communication in storytelling, promising a bright future for performing arts at the school. Highly Sprung deserves immense gratitude for their dedication to the arts and for creating such a fantastic opportunity for young talent.

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