Our very own Luke Barnes’ latest piece of writing ‘Lost Boys’ kicks off at Unity Theatre in Liverpool in September. Luke, an award-winning playwright, excels at writing topical, though-provoking material.

This brand new commission from National Youth Theatre Alumnus and Luke is a play for everyone about growing up in a new northern town, exploring how where you’re from and gender identity affects who you are, who you become and your mental health.

The play opens at the Unity Theatre, followed by a tour of community venues across Merseyside.

Sending warmest congratulations to two of my most loved former pupils.

Firstly to Erin Clarke who has secured a place at the prestigious Central School of Drama in London.

Erin sill be studying Drama, Applied Theatre and Education from September.

She says: “I absolutely delighted to have been offered this opportunity. The audition was challenging, and though-provoking and I can’t wait to get started. I’d like to thank you Mrs Lamont for always believing in me and encouraging me to do my best and to believe in myself. Without all of that and the industry experience you provided, an opportunity like this would have been out of my reach.

Says Mrs Lamont: “This is a fantastic achievement and I am so very proud of Erin.  Her special perseverance, conscientiousness and incredible talent have paid off. As you can see from her comments, Erin is not only super-talented but refreshingly humble and a lovely person. She was a delight whether studying for exams, festivals or in our fun general classes. My time spent teaching her will remain one of my fondest memories.

Keep in touch Erin and let us know how you get in on this next exciting stage of your life.”

Also enjoying success is 20-year-old Rory Rushton (aka much-loved nephew).

Rory, studied drama at the Lamont School from aged 4, doing his first duologue ‘Jan Klaason’ with Rebecca Dorrity at the Crosby Festival. They, of course, scooped 1st place for sheer cuteness – and talent! Rory (and Rebecca) went on great success in festivals and their LAMDA exams before leaving to both go to Lancaster University!

After the first 2 years of his Accountancy and Finance Degree, Rory has been awarded a Scholarship Placement with top finance company Fitch Ratings in Canary Wharf, London.

Says Rory: This is a fantastic opportunity for me. I’ve been in London for 6 weeks and I’m loving every minute of it. I’m sharing a house in Greenwich with four other Lancaster students on the scholarship programme. It’s great fun as we are all new to London so we’re exploring it together. My first day at Fitch was on a team building day on a city farm in Tower Hamlets. I had a great day mucking out with my new team and bosses!

Rory down on the farm!

I will return to Lancaster to finish my degree in September 2020 and after that I hope to return to Fitch as a Graduate Associate”.

The 5 Lancaster Scholarship interns (Rory second from left)

Rory’s latest success follows on from him being awarded a Harrison Scolarship from Merchant Taylors’ School of Boys for exceptional ‘A’ Level results and being awarded a Lancaster Excellence Scholarship.

Ever happy Rory!

Says Mrs Lamont: “Rory’s academic success is down to him being an exceptional hard worker and dedicated student. He says he learnt his great work ethic from Merchant Taylors and from Lamont Drama School (especially from me and my motto …fail to prepare, prepare to fail!) . I’m delighted to accept credit, Rory!”

Go Rory!

Lamont Casting Agency and Drama School member 8-year-old Isla Gie is celebrating after being awarded a coveted All England Championship Winner’s Medal.

Isla performed two dances at the All England National Finals at The Wycombe Swan Theatre in London. Her hard work was rewarded in the Song & Dance A Section (7-8 year-olds) when she won the Silver Winner’s Medal. Isla performed Bigger Isn’t Better from Barnum.

Isla after receiving her winner’s medal for Bigger Isn’t Better!

Founded in 1923, the All England Dance Competition has gained itself a reputation for excellence. The standard of dance is exceptionally high with entrants coming from all across the UK.  The search for the top dancers begins at the start of the year, followed by five Regional Finals and culminating in the National Final taking place over nine days in London.

Well done Isla!

HIP HOP HOORAY! for these fantastic pupils from my 9.45 am Saturday class and 5.30 pm Monday class.

Festivals and LAMDA exams bring Lamont pupils many trophies, certificates and medals – but none are more well-earned than the school’s End of Year Special Awards.

I am extremely proud to announce the results from just two of my classes. Seven-year-old TILLY BLUNDELL, 7-year-old FREDDIE THOMASON and 8-year-old AIDEN BARCLAY won medals for Achievement, Endeavour and Politeness. Equally fabulous and winning medals were SUJAANI MATHANRAJ, ZARA MURRAY-CAKAR, GRACE HAYES, LOIS CRINGLE and JESIKKA RAJKUMAR

Their immaculate behaviour and sheer joy of life makes them a dream to teach – and I look forward to my time spent with them – and the rest of my pupils, each and every week!

I’d like to wish all  of my fabulous pupils, a well-deserved Summer break. I look forward to seeing everyone back in September for more excellent teamwork and fun.  Enjoy!

Awesome Aiden!

Fantastic Freddie!

Terrific Tilly!

The 5.30 pm Monday class, from left to right:
SUJAANI MATHANRAJ (8), ZARA MURRAY-CAKAR (8),
GRACE HAYES (8),
LOIS CRINGLE (8) and
JESIKKA RAJKUMAR (8)

Sending lots of luck to these three little Lamont gems who are all auditioning this weekend to play Little Cosette in the current UK Tour of Les Misérables.

Looking good – Esme Goatcher (left) and Martha Last.

Our little song-birds, 8-year-old Esme Goatcher, 7-year-old Martha Last (pictured together) and 8-year-old Lois Cringle will be showing off their singing and acting skills in auditions this Sunday, in a bid to be chosen as Little Cosette for the Liverpool leg of the UK tour. All three are extremely talented little actors and are on a high after taking their Entry LAMDA Exams last weekend.

Lovely Lois

Seen by over 120 million people worldwide in 52 countries and in 22 languages, Les Misérables is undisputedly one of the world’s most popular musicals.  After nearly a decade since the last sell-out UK tour, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed Broadway production of Boublil and Schönberg’s musical Les Misérables is touring the UK. Earlier this year, Lamont Drama pupil 8-year-old Isla Gie performed as Eponine at the Leicester Curve and was then invited back to play Little Cosette at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

The brilliant new staging of the UK Tour has taken the world by storm and has been hailed ‘Les Mis for the 21st Century’. With scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo, the magnificent score of Les Misérables includes the songs: I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Bring Him Home, One Day More, Master Of The House and of course, Little Cosette’s iconic solo Castle on a Cloud.  Go for it girls!

Our lovely Laurie Ogden continues to go from strength to strength in both her acting and poetry career!

Laurie, who attended Lamont Drama School until she went to university,  is back on our screen in the Nationwide ad sharing her brilliant poem ‘3am Friends’ . Laurie and Toby Campion demonstrate that it’s the little things you share that make a friendship. She also performs another poem ‘Mother’s Day’ as part of the Nationwide ad campaign.

When she’s not charming us on the small screen, Laurie is busy in the theatre. She has just finished with the NYT REP company (2018) group and is currently in a UK tour in a play called ‘Napoli, Brooklyn’.

Laurie is starring in Meghan Kennedy’s enthralling coming-of-age tale alongside Georgia May Foote (Coronation Street, Grange Hill), Robert Cavanah (Shetland, Outlander and The Royal), Hannah Bristow(Jane Eyre, National Theatre), Mona Goodwin (Black Mirror), Stephen Hogan (The Tudors, Primeval),  Gloria Onitiri (Brighton Rock, Hadestown) and Madeleine Worrall (Peter Pan, Jane Eyre National Theatre). The tour will finish at the Park Theatre in London.

She says: “After that I’m heading to Edinburgh with a play called ‘Bible John’ which I’m equally excited about. I’m also hoping to get more poetry projects done now that my run with the NYT REP is finished”.

Says Mrs Lamont: “Laurie’s writing and performing talents were evident from a very young age. She simply lights up the stage or screen with her presence. I am delighted that she continues to perform in such diverse and interesting projects.”

Former Lamont Drama pupil, the gorgeous Tori Hargreaves is picking up amazing reviews in London performing in celebrated playwright Jonathan Harvey’s play Boom Bang-a-Bang.

Tori was without doubt one of the school’s most talented students offering a triple threat of brilliance at acting, singing and dancing. She is also one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet – always happy and smiling and loving life!

So, it’s no surprise that she is taking centre stage in this hilarious farce set in London at a Eurovision watching flat party hosted by Lee. However, fallouts, accusations and fights soon break out between his pals and it quickly turns into a fiasco.

One reviewer says of Tori: “There is a hidden depth behind every line and something mysterious always just below the surface…. she was truly fascinating to watch.

The reviewer goes on: “Boom Bang-a-Bang is a hysterical farce and if you enjoy Eurovision or want to reminisce about nineties house parties you will have a riot. The audience member next to me was singing along loudly whenever a Eurovision hit was heard above the arguments….it is definitely worth seeing as you will undoubtedly be smiling and laughing throughout”.

Another review gives the production 5 stars saying: “It’s an absolute corker! This is a piece that veers unapologetically from absurd slapstick to raw tragedy, and is rich and rewarding as a result. Director Andrew Beckett has assembled a truly superb cast. As Lee’s sister Wendy, Tori Hargreaves is poised and precise, delivering a blisteringly memorable monologue in the second act!”.

A review in The Stage agrees that Tori brings something special to Boom Bang-a-Bang: “Tori Hargreaves gives a delicately layered performance as Lee’s sister Wendy. There is so much going on behind her eyes – without saying a word, she foreshadows the storm that blights the party.

Says Diane Lamont: “As a Lamont student, Tori’s genius was always her superb comic timing so it’s no surprise she is giving such a stand out performance in this popular production. She was always a star in the making and it’s lovely to hear that she is going from strength to strength. Fabulous work, Tori! “

Other reviews include:

★★★★★
“hilarious and moving in equal measure…douze points”
Boyz

★★★★★
“Stuffed absolutely full with the best, crispest, freshest one-liners”
BritishTheatre.com

★★★★
“an evening of raucous fun”
QX Magazine

Congratulations to 8-year-old Isla Gie who has just successfully completed her six-week run at the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre as young Cosette in the UK tour of Les Misérables.

The production, starring Olivier Award nominated Killian Donnelly as Jean Valjean , who also played the role in the West End production of “Les Misérables”, played to standing ovations every night in Birmingham. Isla’s role as Cosette follows her performances as young Eponine when the tour kicked off at the Leicester Curve Theatre last November.

Says Isla, “I loved performing at both theatres but Birmingham was special as I got to sing my favourite song Castle on a Cloud as Cosette. I will really miss all the cast, especially Killian, who made me feel really special and high fived me every night as I came off stage.”

Isla was given the great honour of appearing on press nights at both The Curve and The Hippodrome.

“When I was playing Eponine I was only allowed to stay until the interval. As Cosette, I took a curtain call and it was really lovely to see everyone clapping and cheering at the end because they’d enjoyed it so much. It was just an amazing experience that I will never forget,” added Isla.

Talented Lamont pupil Ellis Coulter recently wowed audiences with his performance in the SDC Youth Theatre presentation of ‘Frankenstein’

The production ran from March 12 to March 16 and was directed by Paul Wilkinson.

Ellis’s Mum, Natalie Coulter, says: “Ellis took on the role of The Creature in Frankenstein. It really was s a fantastic production and he had standing ovations every night.”

Some of the comments from the audience included “Wow. Wow. Wow.”, “Exquisitely Visceral”, “Amazing”.

Ellis is hoping to go on train professionally.

Said Mrs Lamont, “Ellis has so much to offer and I see great things for him in the future. He is so directable and focused, not to mention that he loads of natural talent. We’re excitedly waiting to hear where he will go next to develop this exceptional talent”.

Lamont Pupils had a very successful day at Sefton Festival of Performing Arts.

Drama Adjudicator Merriel Halsall-Williams (pictured with the trophy winners) commented on the phenomenal high standards at the festival from all age groups.

Said Mrs Lamont: “Sefton is a very friendly festival which the children and parents enjoy immensely. However, the standard is always high and Lamont pupils had to put in top performances to achieve the success that they did. I was proud of them all.”

The results were as follows:-

Verse Speaking (Tinies)

1^st Martha Last, 2^nd Bobby Marshall

Martha List wins the Junior Verse Speaking Trophy

Verse Speaking (Years 4 & 5)

1^st Verity Clark, 2^nd Poppy Padin, 3^rd Sarafina Campolucci Bordi

Verse Speaking (Years 6 & 7)

2^nd Jemima Brooks, 3^rd Orlando Campolucci Bordi & Evie Clark

Verse Speaking (Year 8 & 9)

1^st Jasmine McElhinney, 2^nd Ellie Edwards, 3^rd Lydia Russell & Isabel Chan

Junior Prose Reading

1st Martha Last, Joint 2^nd Serafina Campolucci Bordi & Verity Clark

Intermediate Prose Reading

1^st Evie Clark, 2^nd Orlando Campolucci Bordi

Senior Prose

1^st Ellie Edwards, Joint 2^nd Jasmine McElhinney & Isabel Chan

Junior Solo Act

2^nd Verity Clark, 3^rd Poppy Padin

Inter Solo Act

1^st Orlando Campolucci Bordi, 2^nd Evie Clark

Senior Solo Act

2^nd Ellis Coulter, Joint 3^rd Ellie Edwards & Jasmine McElhinney

Junior Duologue

Bobby Marshall & Martha Last

Bobby and Martha are a perfect Duo

Inter Duologue

1st Evie & Verity Clark, Joint 2^nd Serafina & Orlando Campolucci Bordi and Beth Edwards & Jemima Brooks

Senior Duologue

1^st Isabel Chan, Mimi Davies and Lydia Russell

Trophy Winners

Most Promising Senior Drama Competitor – Isabel Chan

Best Actor – Orlando Campolucci Bordi (Joint Winner)

Junior Verse Speaker – Martha Last

Senior Verse Speaker – Jasmine McElhinney (Joint Winner)

Evie & Verity Clark win the Inter Duologue Trophy

Junior Drama Challenge Trophy – Verity & Evie Clark & Orlando Campolucci Bordi

Verity, Orlando and Evie share their success

Senior Drama Challenge – Ellie Edwards

Ellie Edwards wins the Senior Drama Challenge Trophy