Barnes-Amis Society
The Barnes-Amis Society provides valuable opportunities for City of London students to engage with new cultural experiences. The Society meets every Friday lunchtime to discuss texts selected either by members of staff or pupils themselves, on what is always an enjoyable, convivial occasion, with sandwiches and orange juice proving an excellent aid to conversation. The range of texts and authors recently encountered by Barnes-Amis members has been as varied as ever, from American authors such as Cormac McCarthy to canonical figures that students may not yet have discovered in the classroom.
Members of the Society are also active in other ways. The school’s first ever literary festival was recently organised by a committee of Sixth Form students, and included discussions, talks and readings from a wide range of authors. These included the Conservative MP and novelist Patrick Mercer, the critic and programme maker Waldemar Januszczak and many others. In addition, students also visited the Royal Court Theatre on one of the February Reserve Days. As part of this fascinating peek into life backstage, students were taken on a tour of the theatre, and given an insight into the decision-making process that takes place whenever a new play is submitted. They were also led in a drama workshop by a Royal Court director.
The Society’s other activities centre, as usual, around its members’ regular trips to the theatre. Students have recently had the opportunity to attend a large number of plays, including Waiting for Godot, starring Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, Steven Berkoff’s re-imagining of On The Waterfront and a revival of Edward Albee’s play Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The visits, which usually take place on a Wednesday or Thursday night, have proved very popular with students across a number of year groups, whether or not they study English (or intend to study English) at AS/A2 level. All those interested in attending a Barnes-Amis theatre trip should ask Ms Senechal or Mr Williams for further information. Trips are also announced in school assemblies, and additional information can be found on the Barnes-Amis noticeboard outside the English Staff Room.
In short, the Society continues to go from strength to strength, broadening the range of its members’ experiences on the page and onstage. All are welcome to join this essential part of the School’s cultural and literary life.