Our annual theatrical calendar is filled with House, School and professional touring productions, offering a broad range of entertainment to both the School and wider town community.
Set in the heart of Oundle town and occupying a delightful former chapel, the Stahl Theatre was converted into a theatre in 1980 following the generous bequest of Old Oundelian Rudolphe Stahl (S 1901). The main auditorium has a seating capacity of 264 whilst further studios and rehearsal room give plentiful opportunities for drama teaching, all aspects of theatre production and informal performance.
full-scale School performances
House plays all directed by pupils
professional touring productions
Alongside the opportunity to perform, all pupils in the First and Second Form take drama as part of the curriculum, and it is then available as an option in the Third Form. All elements of performance are taught, with pupils learning collaboration, communication and self-awareness, as well as use of voice, improvisation, interpretation of play texts and devised work. Within the GCSE course there are opportunities to focus on lighting, sound, costume design or directing in addition to acting. At A level, pupils study set plays, live productions and present as a group in performances which are generally considered one of the highlights of the Stahl’s annual theatrical calendar. During their studies pupils can choose a particular skill to develop, from acting and directing through to costume, mask or set design as well as lighting and sound.
All tickets to our productions performed at the Stahl Theatre can be booked online, or simply contact the Stahl Box Office in person to book your tickets.
Stahl Box Office
T: +44 (0)1832 277300
An integral part of the Stahl’s ethos is that pupils gain a professional experience of theatre, with a professional technical team supporting all School productions. As well as the Director of the Stahl, this team includes three full-time technicians, a costume supervisor, a box office manager and further expert drama teachers.
We encourage pupils to get involved in every aspect of theatre production. Acting remains popular for many but the backstage disciplines of stage management, set production, lighting, sound, costume and make-up also thrive. Having benefited from the tutelage of the Stahl’s technical team, in-house productions are often crewed entirely by pupils. A member of the Stahl’s directing team is responsible for mentoring pupil directors, ensuring a high level of quality is maintained across all productions.
We offer LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) qualifications in Acting, Verse and Prose and Public Speaking. LAMDA is a prestigious institution that is internationally recognised for its excellence in performing arts education. The examinations provide a structured pathway for individuals to develop their artistic skills, gain recognition for their achievements, and open doors to exciting opportunities in the world of performing arts.
Discover our LAMDA offering here.
