After a drought of Sixth Form English trips, it was only fair and right that the UVI Englishers were taken on what we aptly named 'The UVI English Extravaganza': 13 hours of fine foods and debate, topped off with the kaleidoscopic experience that was award-winning director Kip Williams' Dorian at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. Two of our very special UVI group detail the day below. We could not have been prouder of how well the girls conducted themselves on what was very much a day to remember. 

Mrs Rebekah Lord,
Head of English

Last Wednesday, the UVI English Literature students travelled to Eton College for an exciting debate. When we arrived, we were ushered inside to enjoy a delicious lunch with our future opponents – alongside the rest of the schools - which some of us found quite intimidating! As we navigated our way through Eton’s glorious grounds, we engaged in conversations with the Eton students; it was fascinating to learn about the different texts they study and hear everyone’s various plans for future education.

Upon beginning our debate, we were split into three groups, each with three boys and girls, and sent off to various classrooms to prepare for our debates. Although we were given a choice of four motions, we amusingly discovered afterwards that all the groups had chosen the same one! The motion was ‘This House would outlaw the rewriting of novels to suit modern sensibilities’. The debates were closely matched with a range of ideas and opinions discussed, and, interestingly, each group had a unique approach to the motion, one focusing on defining the terms of the motion, another the subjectivity and future implications, and the last the legal possibilities of achieving this.

Following our group debates, we all reunited in a larger conference room to discuss our findings. Here we entered into further invigorating debate about the topic as well as exploring some of the other motions and ideas proposed by teachers.

I know that we have all learnt so much from the experience and it was a truly enjoyable experience to engage with such like-minded pupils, with the intellectual depths of our discussion pushing everyone to think more perceptively and to challenge their pre-conceived opinions.

Tashy B, UVI

Following on from our Eton lunch and debate, we travelled to London to see an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey, his famous novel about a beautiful, vulnerable young man seduced and corrupted by those around him – and the eponymous portrait that takes on all his crimes and sins, aging and becoming horrific to look at while he remains youthful and handsome.  

This production at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, was particularly interesting as it was a one-person, gender-bent show, with Sarah Snook (of Succession fame) taking on the title role, as well as all the other characters. I was expecting great things, being a huge fan of Sarah Snook, and was frankly blown away by her dexterity, charisma, stage presence and sheer stamina – she kept the audience enraptured on her own for two hours without an interval. The use of technology to portray more than one character at once was ingenious, and also updated the novel for the 21st century, with Snook using filters on a phone to emulate the portrait’s perfection.  

Furthermore, the blending of historically accurate period costume with modern music in the soundtrack and technology created an immersive experience, in which the audience never knew what was coming next. One particular scene in which Snook partied outrageously to thumping house music had us all in stitches.  

We came out of the theatre completely overawed, both by Snook’s magnetism and acting prowess, and the ingenuity of the stage crew and set. It was unlike anything we had seen before, and I would like to extend my thanks on behalf of the UVI Englishers to Mrs Lord and Miss Grant for taking us.  

Izzy A, UVI