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At Wellington College, the stage is more than a performance space, it’s a place where students are empowered to lead, create, and inspire. Two standout pupils, Darcey and Tessa, have embraced this opportunity wholeheartedly, each writing and directing two original productions during their time at Wellington College.
Their most recent plays, Embers (Tessa) and Voices in the Riots (Darcey), were staged as part of Wellington’s commitment to producing professional-standard productions that challenge, inspire, and empower, including a growing number of student-led works.
“Student-led theatre is an avenue for students to explore that creativity. “It allows a greater appreciation of everything that goes into a play.” – Tessa
Darcey’s Voices in the Riots drew from historical and contemporary events to explore themes of protest, marginalisation, and the power of unheard voices. Through an ensemble of characters and interwoven monologues, the play offered a raw and humanising perspective on moments of unrest, bringing to light the stories often left out of the headlines.
Darcey’s script challenged audiences to reflect, while her direction ensured that every performer had a strong voice and space to shine. The result was a production that felt as much like a political statement as a piece of theatre — bold, relevant, and deeply moving.
“To see the audience respond, and to know we built it all from scratch — that’s incredibly rewarding.”
Tessa’s Embers was a more introspective piece, delving into themes of memory, grief, and personal legacy. Set against a backdrop of quiet moments and intimate relationships, the play followed characters navigating loss and reconnection, with each other and with themselves.
Tessa’s writing was praised for its sensitivity and nuance, while her directorial approach brought an atmospheric stillness to the stage. The piece invited the audience to lean in, reflect, and feel — a masterclass in emotional storytelling.
“When you become so passionate about what you’ve written and you start directing it… you’ve just got to be in it.”
Both Darcey and Tessa began their theatrical journeys as actors, but soon found themselves drawn to writing and directing as a way to tell stories they felt were missing.
“I always thought acting was the only thing,” Darcey shares. “But then I started writing because I realised there were roles I wanted to play that didn’t exist.”
Performing in their own work gave them a unique connection to the material and allowed them to inhabit the stories they wanted to tell fully.
Wellington College Drama isn’t just about performance, it’s about opportunity. Student-led productions like Embers and Voices in the Riots are a product of a department that trusts its pupils, providing them with the tools, mentorship, and encouragement to take risks and lead with confidence.
“By increasing student-led theatre, it opens people’s eyes to all the different professions in stagecraft — directing, stage management, production… even if they don’t want to act.”
For both Darcey and Tessa, the process has been transformative, giving them not only creative confidence but clarity about what they might pursue beyond Wellington.
As they prepare to leave Wellington, both pupils look back with pride — and ahead with excitement.
Listen to the full podcast with Darcey and Tessa to learn what inspired them, how their plays came to life, and why student-led theatre matters more than ever. Welly Fringe Interview – DukeBox Radio
