All the world’s a stage for budding North Yorkshire actors
Pupils from Cundall Manor School celebrate their recent LAMDA exam success Actors from Cundall Manor School are celebrating the latest LAMDA results, with pupils receiving top marks for their drama performance. Seven pupils from the school, based near Topcliffe, North Yorkshire, entered the exams earlier this term. Pupils had to memorise a monologue or duologue depending on the exam. LAMDA tutor, Catherine Fearn, was thrilled with the pupils’ performance. She said: “I was delighted with the outstanding grades awarded to the students at the Leeds public centre.” “The high marks are testimony to the hard work students put in to the development of their characters within acted scenes, and heightening their interpretive and technical speech and drama skills. LAMDA is the oldest drama school in the UK. Founded in 1861 as the London Academy of Music, the academy was the first to offer acting tuition and has a world renowned reputation for quality. LAMDA assessments can be converted into UCAS points and go towards University entrance requirements. Mrs Fearn added: “All our pupils deserve a huge well done.” Pupils were awarded their certificates in an assembly earlier this month and parents and staff will get a chance to see a select performance from two of the schools LAMDA pupils in the annual Form 6 Review. If you would like to find out more about drama, the generous range of scholarships or LAMDA tutorials, please get in touch with Cundall Manor School on 01423 360 200 or email admissions@cundallmanor.org.uk
It’s a high tea celebration in honour of Her Majesty
Boarding pupils from Cundall Manor School joined in the Queen’s birthday celebrations as they held a high tea in honour of the monarch’s official birthday. Children from Cundall Manor celebrated the Queen’s 90thBirthday in a traditionally British way, enjoying tea, finger sandwiches, cream cakes and many more treats. The school, based near Topcliffe in North Yorkshire, have been enjoying a host of royal related activities over the past year. Boarding house master, Gary Coates, helped organise the event. He said: “Our boarders always enjoy a celebration and a high tea in honour of the Queen’s birthday seemed an apt way to celebrate the occasion.” Boarders helped decorate the dining room in red, white and blue and even helped deck the hall in union flags. The Queen’s official birthday follows her actual birthday in April in a tradition that is thought to date back to the reign of King George II in 1748. Mr Coates added: “The boarders really enjoyed the occasion and learning about the monarchy and all the traditions associated with the Royal family.” To find out more about boarding with Cundall Manor School, visitwww.cundallmanorschool.comor call 01423 360 200
Stage combat brings drama to life for Form 6
Delivering a masterclass in stage combat to Cundall Manor School, actor, stunt man and choreographer, Mark Ruddick aims to capture the essence of drama in a fun and engaging way. Mark, founder of Squire Stage Combat, taught the basics of the skill as part of the year group’s preparation for the annual review. He took some time out from his busy diary in the critically acclaimed David McVicar’s production of Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, to come and show our students the ropes. Around 45 pupils were lucky enough to take the masterclass which included a fun introduction to the techniques and performance of a range of conflicts on stage, including hand-to-hand and sword fighting, all while under the instruction of a professional fight director. Mark said: “They took to it really well. A few of the students, in particular Oscar and Eve, could even have a future in stage combat.” Liz Vile, Head of Drama at Cundall Manor School, helped organise the event. She said: “Our pupils really enjoyed the masterclass. I think they certainly enjoyed the sword fighting. Getting the chance to work with Mark is a great advantage for them as he brings so much experience to the stage. The Squire Stage Combat group have worked on a number of big budget projects including working for the likes of the BBC, The Royal Opera House and Pinewood Studios to name but a few. Pupils from Form 6 at the school will now take what they have learned in the masterclass and put it towards writing their own performance which will take place on Thursday 16th June at the school. To find out more about the Form 6 review or to find out more about drama at one of the North’s leading independent schools, visitwww.cundallmanorschool.com