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For most adults, reciting poetry and performing Shakespeare in front of a large audience and a judging panel is a thing of nightmares! However, the young actors at Bishop Yards School of Dance and Performing Arts took it in their stride at Carlisle Music and Drama Festival.

The Carlisle Music and Drama Festival is an annual event where young people from across the region perform to a welcoming audience and professional adjudicator. This year, the Drama Classes were judged by Stephen Owen. He created a supportive atmosphere for all performers, provided much encouragement and gave valuable feedback on how the young actors could develop their skills further. Not only is it a great opportunity for actors and musicians to develop their craft but as an audience member, it is a week to enjoy delightful performances from our region’s emerging talent.

The younger students at Bishop Yards School of Dance and Performing Arts decided to enter in the poetry class. Each recited a poem from memory and were praised for their projection, vocal expression and facial expression.

Congratulations to James Benson and Scarlett Wood who both came in second place in their categories! James Benson even got a special mention from adjudicator, Stephen Owen, for the expression and humour he brought to his poem.

Some of the older students were keen to perform duologues from plays such as ‘Peter Pan’, ‘A Little Princess’ and ‘Buckets’. For Annie Coates and Jasmine Lancaster, this was their first time performing a duologue. They did a great job and brought lots of fun and energy to their performance of ‘Peter Pan’.

Alana Hope and Grace Bainbridge played best friends, Sara and Ermengarde, in ‘A Little Princess’. Their engaging and heart-warming performances won them second place in the 11 and under – Duologue Class.

In the 14 and under – Duologue Class, Arianna Mameli and Isobella Keenan performed a duologue from ‘Buckets’. In this scene, Arianna Mameli earnestly portrayed a young woman who has made a bucket list for her hamster including going to Alton Towers and skydiving. Paired with Isobella Keenan’s dry retorts, this made for a hilarious and quirky performance. Their performance not only won them first place in their category, but also The Dr. Kenneth Pickering Memorial Trophy for outstanding performance in Duologue Acting.

Two of the older students, Kate Wilson and Adam Marchant challenged themselves with a Shakespeare Monologue. Adam Marchant gave an energetic and mischievous interpretation of Puck from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. His great performance earned him first place in the Shakespeare Solo – 14 and Under Category.

Kate Wilson gave a haunting performance as Lady Macbeth in her famous ‘Out Damned Spot’ monologue. Her screams of terror not only won her first place in the Shakespeare Solo – Open Category but also The Joe Wallace Memorial Salver for an outstanding performance in Acting.

BYSD will also be holding a ‘Drama and Craft’ workshop on the 3rd & 4th April during the Easter holidays. There will also be a Ballet workshop held on 12th & 13th April.

Please email bysdance@btinternet.com for more information about workshops and regular classes.

Congratulations to all students for their excellent performances:

Poetry

  • Violet Antrobus – Balloons by Judith Thurman
  • James Benson (2ndPlace) – The Worm by Ralph Bergengren
  • Keira Hope – The Door by Richard Edwards
  • Alice Pott – The Runners by Alan Ahlberg
  • Scarlett Wood (2ndPlace) – The Runners by Alan Ahlberg

Duologues

  • Grace Bainbridge and Alana Hope (2ndPlace) –  ‘A Little Princess’  by Frances Hodgson Burnett, Adapted by Shaun McKenna
  • Annie Coates and Jasmine Lancaster – ‘Peter Pan’ by J M Barrie
  • Isobella Keenan and Arianna Mameli (1stPlace and The Dr. Kenneth Pickering Memorial Trophy) –  ‘Buckets’ by Adam Barnard

Shakespeare

  • Adam Marchant (1stPlace) – ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

·      Kate Wilson (1st Place and The Joe Wallace Memorial Salver) – ‘Macbeth’