Alderley Edge School for Girls has been awarded first place in a national school drama competition for a powerful performance from pupils in Year 10 about the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre.
Emily B, Alicia F, Lucy F and Cece S, all in Year 10 created and performed an original and devised piece called ‘9/11’, in which they played with the idea of chance. After the surprise news that one character is to have their baby earlier than her due date, three of her close contacts are triggered into changing their own plans for the day.
This tragically meant that they are then in the wrong place at the wrong time on Sept 11, 2001. A touching and hard-hitting tribute to those who lost their lives in the 9/11 attack.
Alderley Edge School for Girls competed against some of the country’s leading independent schools from throughout the UK for the title. The piece was performed in school, within the school’s drama studio and was then sent to the Independent Schools Association and to their independent judges.
After watching all the pieces, Alderley Edge School for Girls was awarded first place for the ‘Best Senior Production’. The judges said that they found the piece “powerful and moving”. As well as the attack itself, the dramatisation included the actors calling home on their mobile phones after the plane had crashed into the towers. The judges commented: “Listening to the phone calls brought home the ripples that spread out to loved ones when things like this happen.”
“Each one was moving and poignant in its own way. Suddenly we were brought into the reality of this event and how as the news footage spread across the world.”
Mrs Nicola Smille, Headmistress at Alderley Edge School for Girls, added: “We are delighted that Alderley Edge School for Girls has been awarded first place for ‘Best Senior Production’ in the ISA Drama Competition. The girls who performed the 9/11 piece are all talented actresses and the performance was incredibly emotive and powerful. To be able to dramatise the emotions of the survivors after the attack took place and a moment in history which happened before the girls were born is a real testament to their acting abilities. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Alderley Edge School for Girls provides opportunities for all girls to take part in national competitions whether that be in the arts, sport, drama or academics. The girls benefit hugely from the process in taking part in such competitions, increasing their resilience, a desire for healthy competition and instils good sportsmanship and a culture of outstanding achievement.
