PUBLISHED 20 June 2023
Recently, AKS Drama Scholars and GCSE students saw “How Not to Drown” created by theatre company Thickskin. Here's what Year 9 Drama Scholar Ella thought of this production:
How Not To Drown is a beautiful story of endurance and bravery, focusing on a small child trying to navigate his way through the world after the Kosovan War. Dritan is sent on a perilous journey across Europe with a gang of people smugglers to find new hope in the UK. The play is performed by an incredible ensemble cast, starring Dritan Kastrati himself.
The play surprised me; I was not expecting such a deep and well-told story. It handles the political issues of immigration and how broken the social care system is very well. It taught me a lesson that I didn’t know I needed, it allowed me to empathise with people in similar situations to Dritan. The way the actors portrayed this story was phenomenal, and they really made you listen. The production brought controversial conversations to light, for example the way refugees are having to be smuggled over borders due to war, and powerful countries not even giving the situation a glance.
Their physicality on stage was captivating, it helped convey the true feelings of the characters using dramatic motions and actions. They managed to utilise their bodies to portray emotions where words couldn’t. Their unique usage of set was remarkable; with very few props they managed to make every scene contrast, showing us different places and settings. In addition to this, the costumes weren’t particularly special, which worked well. Their simplicity showed the raw situation Dritan was in. With little details like that, it made the performance much more realistic.
One of my favourite moments from the play was how the actors portrayed the relationship between Dritan and his parents after not seeing them for many years. This part of the performance gave the audience hope; everything was going to be okay. The tale then took a twist, Dritan did not feel the comfort from his parents that he had longed for, and he felt emptier than ever. He wasn’t able to communicate with them as he forgot his native language, and it sent him into a spiral of depression. It was as if Dritan had lost part of himself and struggled to connect with his roots and therefore struggled to find where he now belonged. It gives you a clear view on how war affects people, families, and their mentality.
Throughout the play, my knowledge of acting on stage has increased, as I have watched a group of amazing actors and have been shown an example of what I am working towards. It inspired me to take part in drama and gave me a preview into drama GCSE and what the curriculum is like. The opportunity to watch what was such an amazing acting piece is one that I am very grateful the drama Department has given to me.
“This performance has inspired me to think outside the box in drama.” Emilia, Year 9
“How not to drown was a gut-wrenching tragedy, executed by the skilled ensemble.” - Hiruni, Year 9