Celebrating Drama, Community and Creativity at Claremont

It may be the summer holidays, but the stage was set at Claremont last week, with the grounds alive with creativity as we welcomed performers, audiences and theatre lovers for a wonderful week celebrating drama and the people who have brought our historic grounds to life over the years.

With the beautiful grounds providing the perfect backdrop, including our historic outdoor amphitheatre, Claremont once again became a place where stories were shared, memories rekindled and new performances inspired.

Celebrating 20 years of inspiring community performance – The Princess, The Palace and the Ice-Cold Bath

On Friday, we were delighted to welcome back the original cast of The Princess, The Palace and the Ice-Cold Bath for a special 20-year reunion. The ambitious production brought together former pupils, staff and members of the local community, and it was wonderful to reunite so many of the people who helped bring this remarkable piece of Claremont history to life. The afternoon was a celebration of an extraordinary project and the lasting friendships and memories it created.

Funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and performed in 2006, the production brought together pupils, teachers and members of the local community in an ambitious celebration of Claremont’s remarkable history.

The story itself was as unique as the production. Acclaimed playwright Rib Davis developed the script through workshops with the cast, drawing inspiration from their ideas, experiences and creativity. Together, they created a captivating performance telling the story of Claremont’s royal roots, its wartime history and its journey to becoming the vibrant school it is today, where girls and boys aged 2 to 18 continue to learn, grow and be inspired by these very special surroundings.

The production was co-directed by Claremont’s then Head of Drama, Ken Kimber, alongside Richard Hayhow BEM, whose shared vision brought together professional theatre-making and the talents of the Claremont community to create a truly unforgettable experience.

It was a pleasure to welcome back 25 members of the original cast, alongside special guest Ken Kimber. As familiar faces reunited, the afternoon was filled with laughter, shared memories and reflections on what remains one of the most ambitious and inspiring community theatre projects in Claremont’s history. For many, it was a chance to revisit not only an extraordinary production, but also the friendships, creativity and sense of community that made it so memorable.

The production also became an important chapter in the careers of several creative professionals. The period inspired costumes were designed by Nina Ayres, who stayed at Claremont while working on the production, immersing herself in the project and helping to bring its colourful characters to life. Since then, Nina has gone on to design costumes for the internationally acclaimed television series Game of Thrones, making it wonderful to look back on her contribution to this landmark Claremont production.

One of the many stories behind the production is that the spectacular lighting, which transformed Claremont’s grounds into a magical stage beneath the evening sky, was created by a local lighting company led by a young entrepreneur in the early days of building his business. His creative vision played a pivotal role in bringing the performance to life. Twenty years on, his connection with Claremont has come full circle, as he is now the parent of pupils at the school. It is a wonderful reminder of how Claremont’s community continues to evolve, with the experiences, relationships and memories created here often spanning generations.

Guests enjoyed viewing photographs from the original production, exploring the grounds where many scenes were performed, sharing tea and cake, and watching a screening of the performance together. Some travelled from as far away as Denmark to be part of this special occasion, highlighting the lasting impact the production had on everyone involved.

A welcome return for the annual Rose Theatre performance of As You Like It

The creative celebrations continued on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 July, as we welcomed the Rose Theatre Kingston back to Claremont for their annual performance, presented by the Rose Young Company Seniors, this year delivering an abridged version of Shakespear’s pastoral comedy, As You Like It.

Each year, the company visits Claremont to perform on our back lawn behind our Palladian mansion, bringing professional theatre into our beautiful outdoor setting and continuing our long-standing connection with the performing arts.

The performances once again demonstrated how perfectly Claremont’s grounds including an outdoor amphitheatre complements live theatre, creating a unique atmosphere for performers and audiences alike.

Creativity thrives in term time too

This wonderful weekend followed a fantastic summer term of drama at Claremont.

Our Senior School delighted audiences with a spectacular production of High School Musical, while our Year 6 pupils charmed everyone with their imaginative performance of Alice in Wonderland.

It is inspiring to see creativity continue to flourish at Claremont throughout the summer holidays. Whether welcoming back former performers to celebrate treasured memories or hosting visiting theatre companies in our stunning grounds, drama remains at the heart of life at Claremont. From developing confidence, creativity and collaboration in the classroom to providing opportunities to perform, create and shine through productions, performances and co-curricular clubs, the performing arts play a vital role throughout the school journey.

Claremont is much more than a place where performances happen. It is a place where friendships are forged, talents are nurtured and stories are shared. The connections, experiences and memories created through drama continue to bring generations of our community together, inspiring pupils, families and performers alike. It is this enduring sense of creativity, belonging and shared experience that ensures the magic of Claremont’s performances lives on, long after the final curtain falls.