Three performances and two late nights, fuelled by a plentiful supply of fizzy pop and snacks from the PPA refreshment team and a fair bit of nervous energy, always ensures that the school year goes out on a high note! 

To mark the school's 450th anniversary, this year's House Drama theme was 'Discovery'. The five show titles were picked out of a hat way back in March by the new Year 12 House Officials at a whole school assembly. Beaufort drew Tangled; Gloucester - Mulan; Pembroke - Encanto; Richmond - Hercules; and York - Moana. Following the annoucement, everything went quiet as exams took over but there was much going on in the background and then - Activities Fortnight sudddenly came around at the end of June and sets were being created! Palm trees drifted down the corridors, blocks of the Casa Madrigal took shape and giant cardboard cut-outs of Mr Pilkington-Crowe, Mr Renton and Ms Pickering peered imperiously from the stage.

The House Officials took whatever space they could find - inside and outside - to work with their casts and ensure that every student felt confident in their role.The strength of the House system shines particularly brightly during House Drama, as students of all ages work together with minimal staff involvement, to write, direct, sing, dance, play, act and design their own productions. It's an event which has the most incredible House spirit and creates memories which will stay with the students long after they leave Pate's. 

On the second night, following the third performance, the much anticipated 'Judging' took place. This year, Pate's alumna Jennifer Lane Baker (Class of 2015), was invited to do the honours and she was very well qualified for the role! Jennifer is a theatre director who has recently been working on the West End run and international tour of Tony award-winning play 'The Lehmann Trilogy' directed by Sam Mendes and she is currently the associate director of the first new production of 'A Chorus Line' soon playing at Sadler's Wells in London. You can read more about her work at www.jenniferlanebaker.co.uk 

Having been a performer, musician and choreographer herself at Pate's House Drama, she had many fond memories of the event and a real appreciation of all the hard work that goes into all of the productions. 

Results:

Design Award: for creative use of set and prop pieces - York with Moana

Script Award: for great characterisation and storytelling - Pembroke with Encanto

Acting Award: for great principal cast and ensemble - Richmond with Hercules

Choreography Award: for using group scenes to create character and move the story along - Beaufort with Tangled

Music Award: for having a strong band and committed ensemble sound who were creatively integrated into the show - Gloucester with Mulan

Overall House Drama Winner: York with Moana - congratulations York! We think that the giant crab stole the show!