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!

Catarina Cardeira (centre) with brother Gabriel and Evie Clark

Pupils entering the 2015 Wirral Festival of Music, Speech and Drama at Birkenhead High School enjoyed a competitive two days of performance impressing adjudicators Meriel Halsall-Williams, Paul Bench and David Fonville.

Out of 28 classes entered, Lamont Drama School won twenty-three 1st places, nineteen 2nd places and sixteen 3rd places.

At the festival, Catarina Cardeira became the third Lamont Drama School pupil to be invited to perform at The British and International Federation of Festivals 2015 North West Regional Championships.

Catarina was awarded 91 marks for her superb solo acting piece as Toad of Toad Hall at Wirral Festival. Three competitors were awarded this exceptionally high mark, but the committee decided to invite Catarina to be the drama representative for Wirral.

Catarina will join Josh Reais (representing Southport Festival) and Francesca Medlicott (representing Burnley Festival) at this prestigious event at the Festival Hall, Alderley Edge in September.

Said Mrs Lamont, “I’m arranging a mini-bus to get our 3 representatives – and their supporters – to the event. Catarina, Josh and Francesca have all done exceptionally well because the standard at all three festivals was very high indeed. It should be a lot of fun in September.”

“Well done to all pupils taking part! This level of success does not come without a huge amount of hard work and commitment from you all.”

Please see our drama/festivals/Wirral section for full results.

Liana & Calia Edwards

Lamont pupil Erin Clarke never ‘rests on her laurels’. For the last few years, hard-working Erin has spent her summer holidays honing her craft at various dance and drama summer schools in London and in the North-west.

But the enterprising teen hasn’t stopped there, she is now gaining valuable experience as a member of YEP, the Young Everyman and Playhouse Programme for 11 to 25-year-olds.

Says Erin, “I love trying new things and learning as much as I can about performance. As part of the YEP programme, I’ll be working with professional actors, script writers and directors and will take part in performances at the end of each term.”

Energy, ambition and commitment – Erin has the lot! What a brilliant ambassador for the school.

Congratulations to former student Andrew Fraser who has successfully auditioned to study for a BA Honours in Acting at LIPA.

Andrew, who joined Lamont Drama as a teenager, but quickly established himself as an excellent actor, will begin his 3-year course in September.

Said Andrew, “Around 2500 people audition for the acting course at LIPA and there are only 36 places awarded! People come from all over the world to audition so I am absolutely delighted to have been selected. In my first year I will be building on my acting techniques and in the second and third year, I will be focusing on professional performance. It’s a great opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”

Andrew added, “I’d like to say a big thank to Lamont because the monologue work and, of course, the improvements to my diction, and all the many other things that you taught me, made all the difference on the day!”

Mrs Lamont, friends at the school and former duologue partner, Rory Rushton, wishes Andrew every success in this exciting next step in his career. We’re all looking forward to seeing you on the West End and in the movies. Go Andrew!

Lamont Drama pupils had a whole lotta fun – and success – at Burnley Drama Festival!

Pupils all did particularly well in the Verse Speaking and Acting Classes. However, their success was topped by our lovely Francesca Medlicott (pictured), who had an exceptional festival!

Francesca’s infectious personality and talent for comedy-timing wowed the judges and gained her the highest mark of the festival for her brilliant solo acting piece. She was awarded The Lawrence Herbert Trophy , the Adjudicators’ Choice Burnley Gilbert & Sullivan Trophy and has been invited to represent Burnley Speech and Drama Festival at the North West Regional Championships 2015. Francesca will join fellow Lamont Drama School pupil Josh Reais at this prestigious event at the Festival Hall, Alderley Edge in September. Josh was nominated for this honour at the Southport Drama Festival and so both pupils will be representing drama festivals from the North-West.

Said Mrs Lamont, “I’m absolutely delighted with Francesca’s fabulous results from Burnley. She has been a pupil at the school for many years and always works hard and brings a fresh, creative energy to her drama pieces. Of course, I’m also immensely proud of all my pupils who performed at Burnley Drama Festival. Their professionalism shows in their excellent results.

Catarina Cardeira (also pictured) was congratulated on her performance by the Mayor of Burnley. Catarina was runner-up for the highest mark of the festival. She scored an impressive 90 for her solo acting piece but was just pipped at the post by Francesca. However, at Catarina’s young age, being awarded 90 is no mean feat!