We were thrilled to welcome West End and television actor, writer, and director, Craig Gallivan, to King’s to judge the finals of our inaugural Senior Drama Festival!
Students in Years 9 to 13 presented a stunning selection of monologues and duologues from a variety of different plays and playwrights to Craig and an appreciative audience in the Hayward Theatre during the last week of term.
After much deliberation, the following winners were announced:
Best Year 9-11 Monologue – Odette Dudley
Best Year 9-11 Duologue – Zach Hatton and Lottie Thomas
Best Year 12-13 Monologue – Libby Hills
Best Year 12-13 Duologue – Olivia Williams and Rufus Froy
Best Original Script – Amelia Green
Best Comedy Performance – Finlay Beeton
Overall Year 9-11 Drama Festival Winner – Rose Tisi
Overall Year 12-13 Drama Festival Winner – Isobel Holland
Mr Oliver Pengelly, King’s Ely Senior’s Director of Drama and Theatre, said: “It was such a fantastic evening! Craig was full of admiration for the courage of all the performers, and he was blown away by the quality of our young actors. He certainly found the adjudication of the awards very difficult, and I am glad that it was his job rather than mine!
“Congratulations to every single student who participated. I often talk about taking risks and pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone, and it was brilliant to see so many students grasping this opportunity. I was particularly delighted to see so many of our younger Senior students taking part, and I know that they will have learnt a lot from watching the older students. It was an inspiring evening full of quality, and I very much hope the festival will become a mainstay of the school calendar.”
Bravo to our dance troupe, King’s Ely-te, who gave a spectacular performance on the evening too!
Craig has starred in a number of high profile West End and television productions, including the lead role in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s international hit musical, School of Rock. Over a two-year period, Craig performed to more than 300,000 people, and he is the longest running ‘Dewey’ in the show’s West End history.
He is also known to millions around the country for his roles in ITV’s Footballer’s Wives and as Ruth Jones’ son, Luke, in the SKY1 comedy, Stella. Craig currently stars as Olaf in Disney’s Frozen The Musical, a role which he originated at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane.
Images by Keith Heppell Photography