A Senior Casting Director from Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures) visited the drama studio recently to do some exciting casting workshops.

Said Mrs. Lamont: “Pupils had a great time honing their audition skills as well as having a lot of fun. We hope to make it a regular event.”

Lamont Casting has a long-history of providing cast members to the award-winning drama series.

In 2005, Lamont Casting member Hannah Rigby from St Helens got the role of Hannah Ashworth in Hollyoaks at the age of 15. She was given praise and recognition for her anorexia storyline in which she was nominated for various awards. Since leaving Hollyoaks in 2010, Emma has appeared in the West End and in numerous screen roles including Prisoners’ Wives, Ripper Street and Once Upon a Time in Wonderland.

Emma was a delightful member of the Lamont Casting Agency and we continue to follow her career with pride.

The upcoming casting workshop will give a new generation of talented Lamont Casting Agency members to shine.

Former Lamont Casting Member Emma Rigby

ABC’s “Once Upon a Time in Wonderland” stars Emma Rigby as The Red Queen.

Little Rosa Tinsley has the face of an angel but fans of the Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks will have recognised her as ‘young’ Lindsey Butterfield – the Gloved Hand Killer!

During the episode in which the identity of the murderer was revealed, eight-year-old Rosa acted out a flashback scene from Lindsey’s childhood when she shockingly pushes her sister into a lake.

The climax of the major storyline was shown as part of Hollyoaks’ 20^th Anniversary Celebrations so was particularly exciting for Rosa to be part of the shock revelation.

Rosa’s mum, Victoria, said: “Rosa had an incredible time. She worked with a stunt co-coordinator and the director to perfect the action of pushing her sister into the lake. Fortunately, that involved a crash mat and no-one actually got wet! Her filming took place at the Lime Pictures studios and on location at Knowsley Hall.

Rosa added: “It was really exciting. When I was filming, the crew was also recording a high speed police car chase which was fun to watch from the actors’ Winnebago!  I knew my story was part of a big storyline and I enjoyed keeping the plot a secret.”

Rosa enjoys her lunch in between takes!

The day after the episode was transmitted, Rosa went to London with her sisters and saw lots of London buses with the sign on the side of them saying: “Hollyoaks – One Killer Week”.

“It was funny to see the buses and know I was a part of it”, laughed Rosa.

Rosa Tinsley is a member of the Lamont Casting Agency.

Rosa Tinsley

Ten-year-old Freya Latham and 13-year-old Dominique Eccles are in big demand! They both successfully auditioned for professional pantomimes and are looking forward to joining their teams this Christmas. Freya will be performing at the Liverpool Empire in Dick Whittington.

Freya Latham stars in Dick Whittington at the Liverpool Empire

Dominique is appearing at Southport Theatre in Aladdin.

Dominique Eccles stars in Aladdin at the Southport Theatre

Not only that, both girls have successfully auditioned to be part of  SONG’s next production. SONG is the award-winning production company for 10-18-year-olds.

10-year-old Freya

Freya, who recently achieved the exceptional Distinction marks of 94 and 95 in her LAMDA exams, will be performing alongside Sally Lindsay (Coronation Street, Mount Pleasant) as Fairy Fazakerley, Radio City’s Leanne Campbell as Alice Fitzwarren, Eric Potts as Sarah the Cook (Coronation Street), City Talk’s Pete Price as Alderman Fitzwarren and Kurtis Stacey (Emmerdale) in the title role of Dick Whittington. Freya’s delighted mum, Louise, said: “She is beyond excited. It was difficult to choose between the two pantomimes because both sounded really fun. In the end, she decided to join the Liverpool Empire’s team and she can’t wait to see the panto’s added bonus of a scene in 3D!”

13-year-old Dominique

Dominique will be performing alongside David Lonsdale (Heartbeat) as Widow Twankey and popular Radio City presenter Claire Simmo, Scott Wright, Ann Marie Davies and Laura Robson. Dominique’s mum, Gill, said: “We are incredibly excited about Dominique appearing in Aladdin. She is also looking forward to being in SONG’s ’80 Days Around the World’ production. It is the second year she will perform with them so that makes it even more special.”

Both girls are members of Lamont Casting Agency.

Lucas Frost is about to step on the wrong side of the law – but all for a good cause.

The 14-year-old is playing the Artful Dodger in BOS Musical Theatre Company’s production of Oliver!

The Lionel Bart favourite, opens at Southport Little Theatre, on October 3 to October 10, and Lucas can’t wait to play the lovable rogue.

Lucas Frost as the Artful Dodger

“The Artful Dodger is a fantastic part to play but actually everything about the musical is great. We’ve got a professional 12 piece ‘traditional’ orchestra with strings, woodwind, brass and percussion so the wonderful music will really come to life,” said Lucas.

Playing Fagan’s sidekick is not the first time Lucas has stolen the limelight. He won a prestigious NODA award for ‘Most Entertaining/Comedy Performance in a Youth Musical for his part of ‘Fat Sam’ in Bugsy Malone when he was just 12. 

Talented Lucas is a member of the Lamont Casting Agency.

This summer, three Lamont teenagers had the unique experience of taking part in the National Youth Theatre’s two-week residential course in London. Rory Rushton (16) from Birkdale, Tom Lyon (17) from Formby and Dan Anderson (17) from Liverpool were split across 10 groups for the duration of the course, coming together at the end to perform their group performance pieces which they had devised on the theme of “Extreme”.

Rory’s Group 9 performing their piece “Extreme”.

Rory who wants to study Economics at university and Tom who wants to study Drama at drama school or university, talk about their experiences below:-

Rory Rushton was a member of Course 9

My NYT adventure began with an intense audition day in February at the Lowry in Manchester. During that day, we spent the morning doing a variety of improvisations. I’d been told by Mrs Lamont that the directors wanted to see great team players who showed no inhibitions whatsoever. Not so easy when you’re being asked to be a pomegranate! Later on, we were judged individually and I performed “Living on the Edge”, a black comedy based on the banking crisis in the City. In May, I got an email to say I was in and before I knew it, it was August and I was checking in to the McMillan Student Village in South East London ready to start the following morning.

I can’t lie, it was very daunting knowing no-one. A lot of the students were from London and, even though I’ve done lots of drama festivals and LAMDA exams, they all seemed much more worldly than me. But it quickly got better and I can honestly say that the whole experience was truly life-changing. I made so many friends, learnt so much and felt my confidence soaring. From a bit of a shaky start, it turned into one of the most fun and positive things I’ve ever done and I’m now going back next year as an ambassador to help other ‘newbies’ settle in and get as much out of the experience as I did.

I’m never going to be the next Daniel Craig but I’ve got some great memories from Summer 2015 and I hope my experience as an NYT member will at least give me an edge in the boardroom!

Rory (back row, far left) is pictured with Course 9 and assistant course director Kwami Odoom.

Tom Lyon was a member of Course 5

My two weeks with the National Youth Theatre in LABAN was an amazing experience which I will never forget. It was great to work and socialise with people who all have a common interest in the arts. I would like to say a thank you again to Mrs Lamont for helping me to be successful in my audition.

The whole thing was great, but I particularly enjoyed creating our devised pieces. Our course director selected the best ideas to expand into an original piece and I felt our final performance was a great success.

On one evening of the course, the directors put on an NYT Alumni Q&A session which was extremely informative and useful. The NYT opportunity came at just the right time for me as it was a taster for Drama School or Drama at university.

Tom is pictured with Course 5 in Greenwich

Caterina Cardeira was a very convincing ‘Mr Toad’!

Three Lamont Drama School pupils took part in The British and International Federation of Festivals’ inaugural Festival Championship of the North West region.

The prestigious event, held at the Festival Hall in Alderley Edge, brought together winners from 18 different Music and Drama Festivals across the North-west to showcase their talent.

Josh Reais (representing Southport Festival), Francesca Medlicott (representing Burnley Festival) and Catarina Cardeira (representing Wirral Festival) are pictured with their winners’ trophies. These were presented to the trio by Federation of Festivals Chairman, Steven Roberts.

Said Mrs Lamont, “We had an absolutely super day. It was amazing to see so many wonderful performances across the three different disciplines of drama, music and dance. It goes without saying that I was immensely proud of my own three pupils, but actually everyone chosen to take part gave spell-binding performances.”

“We finished the day with a very enjoyable celebratory meal back on our home-ground of Formby – with Catarina, Francesca and Josh taking pride of place at the table as we toasted their well-deserved success.”

North West Champions Catarina, Francesca and Josh (L to R)

Francesca and Josh are also members of the Lamont Casting Agency.

Francesca Medlicott

Josh Reais

Little Evie and Verity Clark outshone more than 100 entries in Merchant Taylors’ Junior School’s recent
Stanfield’s Got Talent competition.

The Lamont Drama School pupils were chosen as overall runners-up after getting through a round of heats and competing against 22 other acts in the final.

The girls performed their specially-written duologue, ‘Operation Pied Piper’, which captures the experience of being evacuees in World War II. The girls have also had considerable success performing their piece at drama festivals across the North-west.

Mum Kerry said, “I’m so proud of the girls. There were entries from Reception up to Year 5 and with only a first and runner up place available, Evie and Verity did incredibly well. They really enjoy performing together and I think that came across to the judging panel and the audience.”

Evie and Verity are following in the footsteps of big sis Christie. Christie is a member of the prestigious National Youth Theatre and always achieved outstanding results in her LAMDA exams and in the many drama festivals she entered.

“The Clarks are a very talented family,” said Mrs Lamont. “Christie has been one of my student helpers for several years and has proved an excellent mentor for my younger pupils. Evie and Verity are completely natural actors but they also work extremely hard so they fully deserve every success that comes their way. As you can see from their picture, they would melt anyone’s heart in their roles as little evacuees!”

The girls are both members of the drama school and the Lamont Casting Agency

Evie Clark

Verity Clark

Joe Houghton has been a star pupil at Lamont Drama School since he was 4!

The cheeky smile is still the same, his talent always shines through and his sense of humour is as funny as it always was! But Joe’s professionalism has soared through the roof!

On a recent professional voiceover job, the director was so impressed by the 13-year-old, he felt he had to write and say:-

“Joe Houghton was excellent. It was a difficult and long script, but Joe took it all in his stride. He was superb!”

(What they don’t know is he is also one of the politest and kindest boys in the Drama School as well!) Well Done, Joe!

Praise for Kathryn McEvilly

Kathryn McEvilly and Elliot Berisha recently provided the voiceovers for an animated film on Internet Rights. The film is informative and clear about keeping children safe on-line.

Director Martin Hughes was delighted with the results. “Kathryn and Elliot did a great job but don’t take my word for it – listen to them yourself”.

Follow the link https://vimeo.com/134656143

Lamont Drama School enjoyed ‘triple’ success in this year’s intake for the prestigious National Youth Theatre.

Rory Rushton (centre), Tom Lyon (right) Dan Anderson (left).

Rory Rushton (16) from Birkdale, Tom Lyon (17) from Formby and Dan Anderson (17) from Liverpool all successfully auditioned and will become fully-fledged NYT members later this year.

Rory, who has been a pupil at Lamont Drama since he was 4 and who will be starting his sixth-from studies at Merchant Taylors School this September, said: “I auditioned over the February half term in Manchester. We spent the morning doing improvisation work and group activities and then we had to select a solo piece to perform in the afternoon. I really enjoyed the day so I’m looking forward to the next stage.”

Tom said: “I was absolutely delighted when I got my email telling me I’d been successful. There were a lot of teenagers auditioning all week in Manchester so I feel very privileged to have been selected.”

Dan said: “The auditions were tough but we’d had some group lessons with Mrs Lamont beforehand which meant we were ready for whatever was thrown at us. I can’t wait to get started now.”

Mrs Lamont added, “Getting into the NYT is a fantastic achievement for Rory, Tom and Dan. I’m incredibly proud of all three.”

The boys will be taking part in the NYT’s two-week residential course in London. They are following in the footseteps of former NYT members Daniel Craig, Rosamund Pike, Matt Smith, Sophie Ellis-Bexter and Idris Elba.

Maybe the next James Bond or Doctor Who will come from Lamont Drama!