The group attended a new staging of Hamlet, William Shakespeare’s classic exploration of grief, deceit, and moral crisis. Led by multi-award-winning director Rupert Goold, the production is being hailed as a ‘masterclass in contemporary performance’.

For many of the students, the trip was an opportunity to see a 400-year-old text reimagined for a 21st-century audience. Educators at the school argue that these professional encounters are “vital” for a deep understanding of the curriculum.

“Seeing a director like Goold bring this level of technical precision to the stage is invaluable,” the Drama department said. “It bridges the gap between the page and the stage, showing our students exactly how the themes they discuss in lessons translate into a live environment.”

The visit is part of a wider push to provide students with “industry-level” context for their studies. By witnessing the RSC’s emotional depth firsthand, the school believes its young performers return with fresh inspiration for their own work.

The experience highlights a key belief at Queen Elizabeth’s: that world-class theatre shouldn’t just be studied in a textbook – it should be experienced in person.