LAMDA STARS SHINE BRIGHTLY
After a brilliant collection of Winter LAMDA examination results the drama department set about planning the first Speech and Drama Evening. Emily Harris, Head of Drama, and Freddie Underwood, teacher of LAMDA, have always been keen to create this evening to celebrate the achievement and talent from Prep to Senior.
The evening began with a drinks reception in the Thomas Arnold Hall, with Freddie warming up the younger pupils in readiness for their performance. The evening was kicked off with an introduction from Emily Harris and I must reiterate her point of welcoming the department’s new LAMDA teacher Stephanie Harrison to the team. Stephanie has been teaching LAMDA at Warminster since January and is involved with both the Prep and Senior LAMDA pupils.
First to perform were the Prep pupils. For some of the younger pupils this was the first time they had ever performed their piece, let alone perform in front of 160 audience members. From Brishen Talbolt’s comical rendition of ‘When an Alien Came To Tea’ to Rebecca Shepherd's and Janey Godrey-Faussett's ‘Swan and Duckling’ duologue, the audience were treated to a veritable feast of theatrical scenes. First time performers, Ben Drummond as ‘Sir Gawain the Knight’ and Toby Bury as Badger from ‘The Wind in the Willows’, introduced the Senior pupils. The audience were taken from the world of ‘Peter Pan’ to ‘Bouncers’ out on a Saturday Night to Willy Wonka exploring his factory. Willy Wonka was played by Harry Cole who ended the first half with an energetic and engaging performance.
With spirts high, the interval was led with a raffle conducted by the Lower 6th A-level drama group. The Lower 6th are currently raising money to help take their devised piece of theatre ‘Cradle to Coffin’ to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this year. The group managed to raise around £90 so thanks goes out to all those who donated and paid for raffle tickets.
Emma Aspray introduced the second half of the evening with her musical theatre piece ‘Nothing’ from the comical musical ‘A Chorus Line’. Her performance was then followed by a selection of gritty, uncompromising and stylistic pieces. Highlights of the group were Milly Morgan’s gripping monologue from ‘Antigone’ and Mabel Taylor’s comic timing and great use of props such as her yellow cleaning gloves in ‘Breathing Corpses’. As the evening progressed we saw the older pupils taking the stage such as Millie Eden-Hamilton who is looking to complete her Grade 8 Gold LAMDA acting in the Summer Term.
Overall, the evening was a great success. My congratulations and applause goes out to all those who performed, especially those who have never performed in front of an audience before. The drama department are currently involved in the Mid-Somerset Festival and looking ahead towards the summer LAMDA examinations.
Catherine Simons, Drama Assistant/LAMDA teacher