Whilst much of the country was ravaged by 80mph winds last week, audiences at Truro High were swept away by a storm of a very different kind, as the curtain rose on the school’s production of Shakespeare’s The Tempest.

The all-female cast of actresses, aged nine to 18, was greeted with many rounds of applause from the packed theatre on the play’s opening night marking the beginning of an impressive run of three performances.

Head of Creative and Performing Arts Judith Tutin said: “The production was a huge success. I am very proud of all our talented students and grateful to all staff who worked so hard to make this happen.

“The benefit of a large scale production like this is that it draws people in and generates excitement and focus for work in and out of lessons. Above all, I am impressed by the leadership and teamwork on and off stage, girls enjoying themselves, helping each other and behaving like professionals, setting such a good example by older and younger girls working together like this.”

The production showcased the burgeoning talent that the school has in a huge range of artistic disciplines.

Alongside acting, costume design and set construction, there were also dance routines, both contemporary and traditional; a Cornish choral piece; a piece of video art by a Year 11 student and many other creative surprises across all disciplines which are taught at the school.

The show also showcased the talent of Year 9 Rose Hallam who accompanied the production on the harp.

Backstage, students had been hard at work designing and making impressive set pieces and intricate costumes to bring the Bard’s enchanted island to life. The main backdrop for the production was created by Isabelle Clemens, one of the school’s Year 10 art scholars.

Inspired by the elemental abstraction of contemporary Cornish artist Kurt Jackson, the 15-year-old spent many months painting this colossal set piece in the school’s award-winning Art department.

The school was even lucky enough to have Old Girl Lucie Jennings once again working the sound and lighting desk on a week-long holiday from one of country’s leading performing arts colleges, the Brit School.

It was also a particularly special production for Old Girl Ysella Gemmill who, having starred in the show in 1989, saw her 13-year-old daughter, Bryher, treading the boards at school in Shakespeare’s late great masterpiece.

In addition to offering GCSE and A Level Drama, Truro High School offers LAMDA lessons, the Arts Award, dance tuition, drama clubs and major productions giving student a wealth of opportunities outside of the classroom to explore their talent in all aspects of the theatre.