Actress Olivia Poulet (Class of '96) officially opens the new Performing Arts Centre

The Performing Arts Centre gives Putney High School’s students a myriad of enriching experiences, from performing to working backstage. Pupils were even involved from the earliest stages of designing their building, helping to make decisions on areas such as decoration and colour schemes. The centre includes an acoustically-sensitive and spacious performance theatre, stage area and raked seating, as well as state-of-the-art sound and lighting, a green room for budding performers and a concert Steinway piano to accompany the plays and concerts.

Olivia Poulet is known for her roles in television shows such as The Thick of It, and stage productions including Product at the Arcola Theatre. She celebrated the excellent teaching she had received during her time at the school, paying tribute to her teachers who were in the audience. Her acting career began, in fact, in Putney High School’s drama classes, where she was immediately recognised for her skills as a performer, and was always encouraged to pursue her dream.

Headmistress Suzie Longstaff said:
“We are incredibly proud of this magnificent Performing Arts Centre, which will give all our girls the chance to have a professional theatre experience, both on stage as performers, and backstage as sound and lighting technicians and stage managers. We are very grateful for the support of the Putney High School community: none of this would have been possible without the generosity of parents, alumnae, staff and the Friends of Putney High School (FOPHS) as well of course as the Girls’ Day School Trust.”


November 10, 2015