Lamont Drama pupil and professional actor 13-year-old Isla Gie is starring in the newly-released movie A Working Man in which Isla portrays Merry Cade, the daughter of protagonist Levon Cade, played by Jason Statham. Other cast members include David Harbour, Michael Pena, Jason Flemyng and Arianna Rivas.

Co-written and produced by Sylvester Stallone and directed by David Ayer, the thriller debuted at Number 1 at the USA box office during its opening weekend, earning $15.2 million. Internationally, the film performed well, bringing in approximately $30.5 million worldwide across the three days.

In the movie, Levon (Jason Statham) is a former Royal Marines commando turned construction worker who becomes entangled in a dangerous mission to rescue his boss’s kidnapped daughter.

Isla has been getting some fantastic review for her performance: “The movie has a surprising amount of heart in the moments between Statham, Arianna Rivas and Isla Gie” (Collider).

Another reports: “Every scene between Statham and Gie is a genuine delight as they exercise tender, undeniable rapport. With 11 more books left in the literary series for the adapting, we desperately need one of these sequels per year.”

Others say: “Isla Gie stands out as Levon’s sharp-witted daughter”. “He (Statham) capitalizes on beautiful opportunities to let his guard down in scenes with not only Gie but also Harbour.”

The Hollywood Reporter, says: “The female characters are refreshingly dynamic, including Cade’s young daughter, who seems more than cool with her father’s escapades as long as he returns safely.”

The Boston Globe, says: “Unlike most action-movie actors, Statham is very good at conveying camaraderie with dialogue. His scenes with Gie made me want to know more about their relationship. I felt the same way about his scenes with Harbour.”

Novastream commends Isla’s performance stating: “Isla Gie gives a charming  and heartfelt performance as his daughter, Merry, and steals several scenes along the way.”

Flick Direct, says: “The scene stealer is Gie who is set up perfectly to deliver some terrific oneliners”. Geek News Network, says: “her role adds a nice dose of action and levity.”

Well done, Isla!

We are also looking forward to seeing Isla as 12-year-old Tali David-DiNozzo in the upcoming NCIS spin-off series, NCIS: Tony & Ziva.

Tali is the daughter of former NCIS agents Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote De Pablo). Tali is more intuitive and vigilant that the adults around her give her credit for and she’s ready to prove this to them”!

Can’t wait! The series is due to air later this year.

Behind the Scenes During Filming

Congratulations to Kiki (8) from Tunbridge Wells. She was awarded 1^st places for both her verse speaking and prose reading at the recent Tunbridge Wells Arts Festival.

Kiki’s Mum Olu, said: “Kiki had a lovely time on stage. Her presentation was beautiful to watch. When she was called up to collect the award, I overheard a lady saying that ‘she’s amazing, I’ve watched her perform a few times’. This made me really happy and I appreciate all your work with her. She takes in everything you teach her and delivers on stage”.

Adjudicator Jenny Thornton really appreciated Kiki’s comic timing and delivery in her verse speaking performing the poem ‘Food’ :“You became the person in the poem so it brought it to life. You shared the poem with all of the audience. This was so very funny.”

At the prizewinners’ concert, Kiki was congratulated on her successes by the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Nancy Warne.

Congratulations to Lamont Drama pupils who recently took part in two competitive Drama Festivals.

At the Lytham Festival, sisters Zaynab, aged 7, and Maryam, aged 9, from Manchester were among those taking part.

Maryam was awarded 2^nd places for her Prose Reading, two poems and solo acting. Zaynab was awarded 1^st places for her poem and solo acting. Together, they were awarded 1^st place for their duologue.

11-year-old Joseph from Formby also entered the Lytham Festival. He placed 1^st for sight reading and received 2^nd places for his solo acting and comedy verse.

Four pupils entered the Coulsdon & Purley Speech & Drama Festival in London. This festival has been running 81 years and this year it had a record number of entries.

Sisters 9-year-old Isla and 11-year-old Lakshmi, from South Croydon enjoyed their day. Isla came 1^st in the Set Poem class and was awarded 2^nd places in the Own Choice Poem class and Prose Reading class. Lakshmi came 1^st with her Own Choice Verse and 2^nd with her Set Poem.

Siblings Esme (10) and Ethan (11), from Purley, came 1st with their duologue. Esme was also awarded 1st place for her Own Choice Poem and Ethan came 1st with his Prose Reading and 2nd for his Solo Acting. Both their acting pieces were judged as ‘Outstanding’.

Congratulations to all!

Latest LAMDA Results

Well done to all pupils who gained the top marks of Distinction across the board!

Trophies for the highest marks in the Junior Grades went to Sharuhi, in the Middle Grades to Vidusshi and in the Senior Grades – to both Ethan and Joseph – Congratulations!

I was delighted that 9 pupils gained 90+ for their exams

Full results as follows:

Entry                    Sia

Grade 1              Sharuhi

Grade 2              Emmanuel, Kiki, Timmy

Gade 3                Beracha

Grade 4              Esme, Thanushka, Nancy, Vidusshi, Ragavee

Grade 5              Ethan, Hallela

Grade 6              Gadowl, Joseph

Grade 8              Sujaani

In the latest set of results – all pupils gained the top mark of Distinction with 7 pupils gaining 94 and over!

Speaking of Verse and Prose

Introductory Stage 3 – Annabelle, Iris and Zaynab

Grade 1 – Maryam

Grade 2 -Sethumi

Grade 3 -Ben

Grade 4 -Fin

Grade 6 – Clara and Olivia

LAMDA RESULTS – SUMMER 2024

THE SPEAKING OF VERSE AND PROSE

All pupils gained the top mark of Distinction – with 21 gaining outstanding marks of 90 and over!

INTRODUCTORY STAGE 1

Ivee-Anne

INTRODUCTORY STAGE 2

Annabelle, Zaynab

INTRODUCTORY STAGE 3

Maryam, Sia

ENTRY

Sharuhi, Emmanuel

GRADE 1

Sethumi, Kiki

GRADE 2

Beracha, Jaylun

GRADE 3

Vidusshi, Felicity, Esme

GRADE 4

Emilia, Hallela

GRADE 5

Joseph, Erin, Gadowl

GRADE 6

Taron, Lois, Freddie, Poppy

GRADE 7

Martha

GRADE 8

Serafina, Agsheyan

Lamont Drama pupil Isla Gie is spending a lot of her time in airports at the moment!

Thirteen-year-old Isla is enjoying filming a number of high-profile film and TV roles – and most of them are taking her on a tour around Europe!

For the past year, she has been filming for the acclaimed US science fiction Apple TV series Foundation. She stars as recurring character Skirlet. Isla flew to Prague and Poland to film the series, which is due for release in 2025. It also stars Jared Harris, Lee Pace and Leah Harvey. The first two series went out in 2021 and 2023 and Isla has joined for a third season.

She wrapped on Foundation in July and two days later she flew directly to Budapest to start filming a pivotal role in Paramount’s NCIS: Tony and Ziva.

As reported in the Hollywood Reporter: “The NCIS spinoff focuses on Cote de Pablo and Michael Weatherly’s characters with Weatherly and de Pablo reprising the roles as Tony Di Nozzo and Ziva David.

In US Weekly, the duo, who starred on NCIS as Tony DiNozzo from seasons 1 to 13 and as Ziva David from season 3 to season 11: “We’ve been talking about this story for many years, and now, we are ready. The world of Tony and Ziva (and daughter Tali) promises to be an action-packed roller coaster fuelled by love, danger, tears and laughter.”

Weatherly and de Pablo, who are also executive producers, added that with their new show they wanted to “acknowledge and thank the fans from around the world” who supported their characters since the start and long after their respective exits. To this day, they say hello in grocery stores and on the street to tell us how much these characters mean to them and ask what Tony and Ziva are up to now. This is for you!’ they said.

In July 2024, the network released the rest of the cast, which included Isla as Tony and Ziva’s 12 year-old daughter Tali.

Isla is filming the 10-part series, which is due for release later in 2025, in Budapest and other European locations for 5 months.

This latest role in NCIS;Tony and Ziva, is Isla’s second screen production using an American accent. She first used an American accent, in a professional role, when at aged 8 she starred as Cindy Lou in the first-ever UK Tour of How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Isla has also been filming for Levon’s Trade, an upcoming American action thriller directed by David Ayer and written by Sylvester Stallone.

Based on the novel of the same name, the film stars Jason Statham, as Levon Cade, an ex-black ops agent who leads a peaceful life with his daughter (Isla Gie) until he is forced to use his old set of skills when someone in his life goes missing.

Production began in London in April 2024 and it is due for release in the United States in January 2025 before streaming on Amazon.

Wow! Isla is one busy girl!

Many congratulations – we can’t wait to see all three productions when they air.

Fantastic news from Senior Pupil Ellie who has successfully auditioned for the Leeds Conservatoires BA (Hons) Musical Theatre Degree course.

“Ellie has been a most-loved pupil for many years so her success brings me great joy”, says Mrs Lamont. ” I know she will thoroughly enjoy the next three years and get so much out of it.”

The course is designed to prepare performers for a sustainable career in the fast-paced Musical Theatre industry through high level acting, dance and singing training. It runs for three years and helps hone skill and potential to work across various forms of theatre and screen work.

What a wonderful opportunity, Ellie. Enjoy!

Congratulations to Lamont Drama Pupils 17-year-old Orlando and 18-year-old Harry who successfully auditioned for the prestigious National Youth Theatre.

Orlando, who has been with Lamont since aged 8 and Harry, who joined the Drama School to assist him with his audition pieces for professional drama schools, both auditioned for the NYT at the start of the year.

They were both recently informed that they are now NYT members and will be attending their famous summer school.

Says Mrs Lamont: “I am very proud of both Orlando and Harry. They are both very talented and work hard for their success. It’s a really exciting next step for them and I know from past pupils’ experiences that they will thoroughly enjoy the NYT Summer School. Well done to both!”

Orlando is also busy this summer appearing with fellow Lamont Drama pupil Joseph in their production of ‘I Did Something I Shouldn’t Have’.

The two have already performed the play at Southport Little Theatre and will be appearing in Ormskirk on June 21^st and 22^nd. After that, the production goes to the Edinburgh Fringe at the end of August.

Lamont Drama pupil 10-year-old Esme was recently invited to take part in the prizewinners’ concert at the Reigate and Redhill Festival.

She performed her solo acting piece (Years 5 -6 ) in the finale concert – and was delighted to be awarded the trophy for the Best Speech and Drama Performance in the Festival.

There were more than 300 speech and drama entries – so this was a fantastic achievement. Well done Esme!