Lamont Drama pupil 11-year-old Isla Gie has taken her final curtain call as MATILDA in the West End.

It has been a ‘dream come true’ for Isla to play the lead role for the past 6 months and she has loved every second of the experience!.

Isla first went to see the show for her 4^th birthday and has dreamed ever since of playing Matilda at the Cambridge Theatre.

Says her Mum Katy:  It’s been a really wonderful experience for Isla. She had so much fun and loved being with all the cast members. After her six-month contract came to an end, we decided not to renew it because she has a few TV roles in the pipeline and she also just started in Year 7 in her new school.  It just seemed the right time to bid a fond farewell to Matilda but Isla and the whole family will forever cherish our fabulous memories of all the Crunchem Hall maggots!”

These are just a few of those amazing memories…..

All pupils gained the top mark of Distinction in our latest round of LAMDA examinations! 

Well done to you all!

Special mention to Lori-Jo and Flyn who both gained 100% for their Grade 7 exams. Flyn has his lessons from Cumbria via Skype – proving that remote teaching is no barrier to gaining the highest of marks!

Trophies for the highest marks over the last 2 sessions go to:

HENRY – JUNIOR GRADE – 96

JOSEPH – MIDDLE GRADE – 96

LORI-JO AND FLYN – SENIOR GRADE – 100

The full results are as follows:-

SPEAKING OF VERSE AND PROSE

ENTRY

Thanushka

GRADE 1

Jack, Henry, Luxsai

GRADE 2

Taron

GRADE 3

Joseph

GRADE 4

Emma

GRADE 5

Sujaani

GRADE 6

Jesikka

GRADE 7

Lori-Jo, Flyn, Vaishana

GRADE 8

Danish

Former pupil Josh Reais has been accepted to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York!

The accolade means he can follow in the footsteps of such acting greats as Robert Redford, Lauren Bacall, Grace Kelly, Danny Devito, Anne Hathaway and Paul Rudd who all trained at the Academy.

Josh Reais

Josh has been offered a full-time place on the Academy’s Conservatoire Programme starting this Autumn. The course is movement-focused with a strong emphasis on physical theatre-based study.

New York Campus

Set in Madison Avenue’s landmark Colony Club building in Midtown Manhattan, the campus encompasses six full floors of classrooms, rehearsal halls, dance studios, dressing rooms, costume and prop departments, a production workshop, a student lounge, and an expansive library designed to serve the specific needs of acting students. Plus, its media studios are equipped with the latest video, lighting and editing systems—everything needed for exceptional on-camera training.

Another notable feature is its collection of impressive theatres that offer a variety of training and performance opportunities. Its 152-seat proscenium theatre, 164-seat thrust theatre and 103-seat arena-style theatre are all used for classes, rehearsals and full-scale productions.

Says Josh says: “I’m over the moon and I would really like to thank you for all your help over the years. The cost of the school is really expensive but they gave me a merited $7000 based on my skills from the remote video audition I did! It’s still not certain if I’ll be able to travel to America by September but I am doing my best to secure a bursary or scholarship now.”

Says Mrs Lamont; “What fantastic news! I am thrilled that your dream could happen if you can get funding! The pupils you helped teach as an Assistant Lamont Teacher will be so excited to hear of your success!

Always adorable – those curls won over the strictest of adjudicators and examiners!

“You came to me at a young age and developed so much over the years into a splendid actor. If things work out for you as well as they did for Robert Redford and Danny Devito I will be beyond proud – although not that suprised! Always a star in the making in my eyes!”

Congratulations to Lucas Frost for securing a place at the Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Drama in London to study for a BA Hons Degree in Musical Theatre.

The very talented Lucas Frost

Lucas has produced some incredible work whilst at Lamont Drama. Said Mrs. Lamont: “Lucas is a truly instinctive actor who is absolutely brimming with great ideas.

“He won lots of awards for his roles in local musical theatre productions and was always a force to be reckoned with when performing improvisations in the Saturday Speech and Drama classes with Lamont. I am still getting people mentioning to me how amazing he was as Miss Trunchball from Matilda. It was certainly one of my favourite acting pieces from the last few years. So, Lucas bring all the energy you displayed as Miss Trunchball to your new adventure! You will knock ‘em dead with your talent – but above all, enjoy!”

Skype teaching at Lamont Drama is going from Strength to Strength!

Up until a few weeks ago, Lamont Drama was reaching various pupils around the UK having first taught by skype several years ago to the Gie family in Cyprus. They have since moved to London, so their lessons are continuing remotely in the Capital alongside pupils in Manchester, Liverpool and the Wirral!

However, this week, Mrs Lamont carried out her first lesson in California!

10-year-old Amélie Henderson joined the school this week. Amélie is the daughter of Brit Nick Henderson, who is a former Lamont Drama pupil from the 80s!

He said: “Despite this very challenging situation we find ourselves in, I would like Amélie to start lessons with you. I realize the time difference may be tricky (minus 8 hours) but I thought I would ask all the same. Personally, your lessons gave me amazing opportunities in life and I’d love for Amélie to benefit from your incredible guidance and expertise”.

Proud Dad Nick with 10-year-old Amélie.

Mrs Lamont was both touched and excited from hearing from Nick after all these years and Amélie’s first lesson was a big hit! She is studying with Mrs Lamont for her first LAMDA exam. Amélie’s eight-year-old cousin Martha has been enjoying great success as a Lamont pupil in both her LAMDA exams, in festivals and as a member of the Lamont Casting Agency, so will be able to give her a few tips. Martha’s mum, Catherine Last is a fabulous singing teacher in Formby and she is also teaching Amélie.

Nick adds, “Amélie adores singing and performing. She can also flip backwards and forwards seamlessly between British and American accents!”

Said Mrs Lamont: “ Catherine and Nick both have a special place in my heart and I was very sad when their lessons came to an end so it is really great to be able to teach Martha and Amelie – the next generation of extremely talented Hendersons. So, a perfect addition to the Lamont Drama School! Well done Amélie and welcome!”

Lamont Drama is celebrating a hat trick of successes with the news that three senior pupils have been selected as members of the prestigious National Youth Theatre. They will be doing their two-week course for NYT members on-line over the Summer.

Joe Houghton, who attends St. Mary’s School in Crosby, started his Lamont journey at the age of 6 – following in the footsteps of big sisters Lucy and Jessica, who attended the school for many years. He achieved Distinction for his Grade 8 acting and is currently assistant teacher at Lamont Drama on a Saturday.

The very talented and much-loved Joe Houghton!

Lucas Jackson started at Lamont at age of 6. His big sister Amy already attended.  He excelled in all his exams culminating in attaining Distinction for his Grade 8 acting.

Couldn’t be prouder of the one and only Lucas Jackson!

Ellis Coulter, who attends LIPA sixth form, achieved Distinction for his Grade 7 Acting. He also featured in an episode of Hollyoaks at the beginning of this year. He joined as a teenager and has won many prizes in festivals for his acting.

Super talented Ellis Coulter is a star in the making!

Said Mrs Lamont, “I am so proud of all three boys. They are not only a very talented bunch but are also all a delight to be around. Joe, who assists me on a Saturday, is extremely popular with all the pupils and we are looking forward to re-commencing our classes in September and hearing about their NYT experiences. I’m sure Joe will bring back lots of great NYT ideas that will benefit our younger pupils.

“It’s such a tough audition process to get into the National Youth Theatre that I would have been delighted to receive news that one pupil had got in! Hearing that three had made the grade was just unbelievably good news! My own nephew Rory, who was lucky enough to become a NYT member just a few years ago attributes securing his top job in finance in Canary Wharf to his NYT credit and experience. So whether you become the next James Bond like Daniel Craig or follow a path outside of performance, the NYT can help you realise your dreams. I wish Joe, Lucas and Ellis all the very best for this next great adventure in their drama journey. So proud of you all, boys!”

Ever the comedian – Lucas Jackson celebrates becoming an NYT member!

Many congratulations to Grace Wingate. The 15-year-old Lamont student has been accepted on the Musical Theatre Course at LIPA.

Talent runs in the family! She will join her brother Harry who is on the Music course. Grace is just about to embark on her Grade 8 Gold Medal LAMDA examination. Good luck Grace for both!

Former Lamont Drama pupil and Lamont Drama Assistant Teacher Simon Lennon returns to our screens this week in the hit BBC TV series ‘Our Girl’.

Simon has played the part of Private Harry ‘Brains’ Wiggerty since it first hit our screens as a pilot in 2013. In 2014, it returned as a series with Michelle Keegan in the lead role. Written by award-winning writer Tony Grounds, ‘Our Girl’ returns for its fourth series with six new episodes in March 2020.

Outside of his own work on programmes like Grantchester and The Dark Room, Simon is a leading light in the National Youth Theatre and now produces and directs for the prestigious organisation.

Simon Lennon stars as ‘Brains’

LAMDA RESULTS FEBRUARY 2020

The latest results are in and all pupils who took their exam in February at our own centre achieved Distinction!

Speaking of Verse and Prose

Entry

Gadowl Oyedeji

Grade 1

Aakash Muraleetharan

Grade 3

Josh Sikdar, Akshaara Muraleetharan

Grade 5

Vaishali Ilanko, Jemima Brooks, Verity Clark

Grade 6

Evie Clark

Grade 7

Varshaa Premakantha, Catarina Cardeira

Congratulations to you all!

Sefton Festival went ahead and proved a great success! LAMDA adjudicator Louise Blackwell praised the high standards of the festival before presenting the festival’s Challenge Trophies to Martha Last (Junior) and Jasmine McElhinney. They achieved the highest winners’ marks across verse speaking, prose reading and solo acting.

Compertitors with Martha Last – Junior Challenge Trophy winner!

Competitors with Jasmine McElhinney – Senior Challenge Trophy winner.

Said Mrs Lamont:” All pupils performed brilliantly at Sefton festival. It’s a great venue offering fantastic stage facilities to show off their many talents. A special mention for Martha and Jasmine who each excelled across the three disciplines of verse speaking, prose reading and solo acting”.

Solo acting – Year 3 & 4

The festival was made even more special for performers as the 2020 Wirral Festival (which should have been held the following weekend) had to be cancelled due to the Coronavirus.

Solo acting – Years 5 & 6

The results are as follows:-

Verse Speaking

Year 1-3

1st Martha Last  2nd  Joseph Edwards

Year 4

1st Grace Hayes  2nd  Lois Cringle  3rd  Esme Goatcher and Freddie Thomason

Year 5/6

1st  Verity Clark  2nd  Olivia Hall 3rd Pip Charnley and Serafina Campolucci-Bordi

Year 7-9

1st Jasmine McElhinney  2nd Orlando Campolucci-Bordi  3rd  Jemima Brooks and Evie Clark

Prose Reading

Year 6 and Under

1st  Martha Last  2nd Verity Clark  3rd  Grace Hayes

Year 7-9

1st  Evie Clark  2nd  Orlando Campolucci-Bordi  3rd Jasmine McElhinney

Solo Acting

Year 3/4

1st Martha Last  2nd  Freddie Thomason  3rd  Lois Cringle

Year 5/6

1st  Verity Clark  2nd  Serafina Campolucci-Bordi  3rd  Olivia Hall

Year 7-9

1st  Jasmine McElhinney  2nd  Orlando Campolucci-Bordi  3rd  Jemima Brooks and Evie Clark

 Duologues

Year 6 and Under

1st  Freddie Thomason and Martha Last

Year 7-9

1st  Evie and Verity Clark  2nd  Serafina and Orlando Campolucci-Bordi

Junior duologues winners Freddie and Martha!