The House Speech and Drama Competition is one of the highlights of the LJS calendar, as we all know that we will be entertained and amused by a spectacular selection of prose and poetry performed by a fantastic set of finalists.
As always, the selected pieces recited on the afternoon were varied and well-chosen, and we all laughed, gasped and drooled as we heard about cats, dogs, turkeys and pigs, football, ballet and aerobics classes, magic, ghosts, car trips and ice cream. The spectre of homework was featured more than once and television was put firmly back in its box.
Without exception the performances were lively and confident with lots of lovely clear voices, additional gestures and movements. The finalists had a great understanding of the poems that they were performing and the space that they were inhabiting, and the whole afternoon was a masterclass in stage performance.
We were delighted to welcome Mr Probert, a Drama Teacher at Oundle School, as our adjudicator this year; he had studied Drama at Exeter University, UEA and The Central School of Speech and Drama. Prior to becoming a teacher, he worked for touring companies and the RSC. Mr Probert was hugely impressed with the performers and their performances – there were many chuckles and gasps of appreciation as he watched children from Years 1 to 6 bravely mount the steps to the stage and deliver their poem with clarity and style. His feedback was incredibly positive and complimentary; he clearly enjoyed the afternoon and praised our finalists for their poise, maturity and delivery.
Charlotte (Year 1), George (Year 4) and Bibiana (Year 6) were our very worth winners but every single one of our finalists had great reason to be proud of their efforts; we are certainly very proud of them and already eagerly anticipating another afternoon of dramatic delights, next year.
By Mrs Rachel Hamilton-Charlton, Drama Lead
