Speech & Drama

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Felicity Amor

Felicity trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama and eventually became Chief Examiner until the amalgamation with Trinity. Head of Drama at Ashford School, Kent for 25 years, she directed many plays and musicals. She has completed her second three year term of office as International Chairman of Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama. Felicity has examined across the UK and widely abroad. She hopes to begin training as an examiner for New Era in the near future.  ACDB

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Mia Ball

Mia took her LGSM while reading for an Honours degree in English. She then went to work for BBC Radio, mainly in the Drama Department. Having a family encouraged her to go into teaching and she has taught all age groups in a variety of settings, including running her own Workshops and taking GCSE and “A” Level courses in schools as well as preparing students for grade examinations. She holds the MA in Voice ~Studies from the Central School and now examines for LAMDA as well as running workshops and teachers’ courses in this country and abroad.  CDAB

Audrey Behan

Audrey gained an MA in Drama and Performance Theory from University College, Dublin, then LGSM and LLCM teaching diplomas. She has 30 years’ experience as a speech and drama teacher, director, examiner and judge and has been a tutor in primary and secondary schools in Ireland. As a performer, she appeared in plays and musical theatre from an early age and in the Irish short film ‘Gypsies’ which was widely screened in Europe and America, on RTE and at film festivals. She presently Senior Speech & Drama Examiner for the Royal Irish Academy of Music.   CBDA

Paul Bench

Paul studied at London and Birmingham Universities, specialising in literary theory, then the Guildhall School in acting and public speaking. He was Director of Studies and head of several large departments of performing arts as well as Director of The Telford Drama Centre. An examiner with LAMDA for many years, he travelled to Africa, Australia, China, Japan, America, Singapore, India and Sri Lanka. Paul is an international back remedy and Reiki therapist and psychotherapist, specialising in performance psychology, having contributed to several master degree courses. He is also currently Reviews Editor for the STSD journal and tutor for The Voicecare Network.  DABC www.paulbench.co.uk

David Biddle

David studied education at the University of Warwick and then went on to ALAM and LLAM and is a one-time Head of English and Head of Lower School. He is an examiner for LAMDA. David has always been active as a practitioner, having acted in numerous theatre and musical theatre roles and being seen frequently on television. He has directed many theatre productions and has also scripted and presented ‘Songs of Praise’ (BBC 1) and ‘Sunday Half Hour’ (BBC Radio 2). He regularly scripts and compères concerts of all shapes and sizes.  ACBD

Frances Brownlie

Frances trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has spent over 50 years teaching drama to all ages from 6 years of age to adults and has directed over 400 productions, from Shakespeare to musicals. She has also played many parts, both amateur and professional. A Cambridge City Council Drama Advisor, she was an examiner for the Guildhall and English Speaking Board. She now runs Dramawise, a youth part time performing arts group who regularly enter festivals and present plays and musicals. Many of her students have gone on to be professionals. Her aim is to introduce a love of theatre to young people.  BCD www.skybluetheatre.com

Beryl Buteux

Beryl trained at Goldsmith’s College of the University of London, also at Durham and Edinburgh Universities; then taking LAMDA grades to diploma. She has taught at George Heriot’s School and Stewarts-Melville College, Edinburgh and Queenswood School, Hertfordshire, where she was Head of the Drama Department and has been an OFSTED Inspector for primary and secondary drama work. Beryl has produced and directed wide range of musical theatre, Shakespeare and contemporary plays for public performance and been a member or director of amateur drama groups wherever she has been based; she currently runs a drama group for Highcliffe Community Association. She is an examiner for LAMDA and Trinity.  BDAC

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Marcia Carr

Marcia is currently studying for her PhD. She trained in music, dance and drama and currently facilitates workshops and directs shows for Universities, drama schools and Theatre departments Internationally. She’s toured internationally, winning Best Performer, Manchester Evening News and Buxton Festival and a Time Out Critics Choice. She is Co-Artistic Director of Impetuous Kinship and Co-Director of the Creative Blast Company, delivering educational packages, training young people and producing shows touring internationally. She’s an Associate Artist with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and an Examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, for which she’s designed and delivered workshops.  DBAC

Penelope Charteris

Penny was born and educated in Brighton, where her parents ran a well known drama school. She received her full time training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went straight into professional theatre. She has appeared in the UK and much of Europe in theatre and TV. A festival competitor herself from an early age, she has always been associated with festival work, having run the Springboard Festival for many years. She is now President of the Sussex Festival of Dance and Song. Penny examined for Guildhall for many years in the UK and Internationally.  CA

Hilary Clulow

Penny was born and educated in Brighton, where her parents ran a well known drama school. She received her full time training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went straight into professional theatre. She has appeared in the UK and much of Europe in theatre and TV. A festival competitor herself from an early age, she has always been associated with festival work, having run the Springboard Festival for many years. She is now President of the Sussex Festival of Dance and Song. Penny examined for Guildhall for many years in the UK and Internationally. DBCA

Frances Colyer

Frances trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has worked as an actress and drama teacher ever since. She was an actress at the Marlowe Theatre Canterbury, the Palace Theatre Watford, Cork Opera House, the Belgrade Theatre Coventry and the Cockpit Theatre, London. She was also a presenter on ‘BBC Schools’ television and radio and on Border TV. Frances is presently teaching at Berkhamsted School and is an examiner for the English Speaking Board. She is a Visiting Fellow in Drama at the University of the West Indies, Barbados.

Aideen Crowley-Dynan

Aideen has been a performer in speech, drama, music and dance from a very early age and her love of these was nurtured during her training at the Cork School of Music. As a teacher, she has her own school of speech, drama, music and dance with students ranging from nursery to adults where youth theatre is an integral part of her school programme. She also tutors business preparation for professionals and conducts master classes and workshops as well as individual teaching for those with speech difficulties. As a director and actress, Aideen ‘treads the boards’. She examines for Trinity Guildhall in the UK and overseas.  CBDA

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Marie Dixon

Marie trained privately with Mary Dilworth and Owen Wynne, going on to be a professional actress in television, repertory, pantomime and cabaret, as well as teaching and lecturing. She is an equity member who is regularly employed as a cabaret artiste and speaker. She formed an Old Time Music Hall Company and has specialised in musical theatre, where she has directed and played in the Sound of Music, Rose Marie, the Pyjama Game, Anything Goes, Wild Violets, and Carousel. Marie taught drama at Holy Family School Sale and was Head of Speech and Drama at Greenback School, Cheadle Hulme and Principal of the Marie Dixon Studios of Speech and Drama, Sale.  B

Anita Downey

Anita is head of Speech and Drama at a large, flourishing Secondary School. This involves work to Diploma level in Speech, Acting and Public Speaking. School productions and workshops are also engaged in. Anita is a busy examiner and adjudicator both at home and abroad. Training first as a teacher, she enjoyed working with students of all ages. Continuing her training at the Guildhall School and the Central School, taking the Advanced Diploma in Voice, Anita often runs workshops in this specialism. Winning the International Professor Van Lawrence Award for research into voice sounds led her to research further into the cultural rhythms of the world through literature.  BC

Anna Farmer

Anna worked in the theatre, films and TV before qualifying as a teacher. She trained in business studies at technical college and went on to work in publishing, rising through the ranks to run the Publicity Deptartment for Edward Arnold (Publishers) Ltd. Having been a teacher and school governor, cub and group scout leader, Anna has always been active in the community and began working with the Godalming Festival some years ago. She is presently an examiner for Trinity College, a Fellow of the English Speaking Board and has private pupils in communications skills, voice work and drama.  ABCD

David Fonville

David is a teacher and examiner of Speech and Drama, Communications, Musical Theatre and English. He was an Independent Radio News Editor and BBC Radio Education Producer during which time he devised the series ‘Christmas in a Country House’ from Althorp, Princess Diana’s family home. In community work David has been Chairman of Governors at Kingsthorpe College and Chairman of the Kettering and District Eisteddfod. He is a Council Member of the Society of Teachers of Speech & Drama and an examiner for Trinity Guildhall. David has been Chairman of the Federation’s Adjudicators’ Council and a member of the Board.  BADC

Cally Foster

Since her first appearance in a festival at the age of five Cally has been committed to the festival movement and has pursued a career as a speech and drama specialist. She has been the principal of her Buckinghamshire based drama studio for the past 21 years, combining that role with travelling extensively in the UK, Europe and overseas (including Japan, Singapore, Kuwait, the Emirates, Sri Lanka and Hong Kong) examining for LAMDA, delivering workshops on all aspects of communication.  BDAC

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Ailbhe Garvey-Hughes

Ailbhe received a Fellowship in Speech and Drama from the London College of Music and a Licentiate from Trinity College. A former All Ireland ‘Best Actress’ winner. She played with An Taibhdearc (The Irish Language Theatre) and “Druid” Theatre Company. She has been teaching drama to primary, secondary and third level students for many years and regularly gives group workshops. Ailbhe is a member of the Association of Drama Adjudicators, The Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (MSTSD) and an examiner for The Royal Irish Academy.  CBDA

 Gloria Gordon

Rosemary Graham

Trained in repertory and pantomime as a stage manager and also a puppeteer, Rosemary gained her licentiate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has taught speech, drama and theatre arts in state and independent education, given workshops, business and post-graduate seminars. She has acted professionally; designed and directed for amateur theatre in UK and abroad, continues to do occasional radio work, poetry and dramatised readingsand records books. Rosemary has taught English as a second language, and for five years was a LAMDA examiner. She was until recently a long-time member of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama.  ACD

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Merriel Halsall-Williams

Merriel is an experienced teacher of English,Drama and Oral Communication Skills in the 8-18years age group. As Examiner and Moderator for the English Speaking Board and Adjudicator, she works in all areas of the UK and overseas. For ten years she was ESB Independent Schools’ Officer, Conference Director, then International Director. In 2009 she was appointed ESB Honorary Vice-President. She is presently National Administrator of the annual Thomas Cranmer Finals, held in London and Chairman of the Shropshire Festival of Verse and Prose. “I believe that Festivals promote the spoken word and give everyone the opportunity to demonstrate their skills.”  ACD

Patricia Hammond

Patricia trained at the Ecole Mationale des Arts et Techniques du Theatre, Paris and atGoldsmiths College, London. Shee established Patricia Hammond Theatre School Kent and has trained many teachers and professional actors both in TV and theatre and given master classes in verse speaking and devised performance both at LAMDA and King’s College Cambridge. Patricia’s book, co-written with Alison Muir, ‘Mime and Improvisation’ has been published by Oberon Books and she is currently writing another. She examines for LAMDA and has travelled widely in the UK and abroad in this role. Patricia is Drama Officer and Executive Member of Bromley Arts Council.  ACD

Anne Harris-Norman

As a teacher and Head of Drama Anne has worked with age groups ranging from kindergarten to A level. In her private studio she has prepared speech and drama pupils up to and including diploma level. Her experience as an actress and director includes co-founding a touring Shakespeare company and founding a touring recital group. As an examiner Anne works with Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Vanguard Examinations.  CDAB

John Hester

John trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art and began work as a professional actor. He has also been a speech and drama teacher for around 20 years and was Head of Drama at Newlands School in Sussex for three years, where he taught GCSE and A Level drama. He is a LAMDA examiner and also runs the SPATS Theatre School. John has written many musical plays for children and has had several books about acting published by The Crowood Press.

Brian Hindle

Brian trained at the New College of Speech and Drama, London and went on to become a Lecturer in Drama at St Annes College of Further Education, following this by becoming Head of Drama, Blackpool and The Fylde College of Further and Higher Education. Brian has been the director of numerous productions ranging from theatre-in-education projects performed in schools to full scale Shakespeare plays presented at The Grand Theatre, Blackpool. He is an examiner for LAMDA and has worked throughout the UK and in California, Singapore, Kenya, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India and Athens.  BA

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Patricia Irvine

A graduate of Guildhall and of Stranmillis University College, Belfast, Patricia is a speech teacher based in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland. As a drama tutor she has presented drama workshops to groups of all ages throughout Northern Ireland. She is past Chairwoman of the Ulster Association of Youth Drama. Her productions have won numerous national and international drama festivals. As an actress she has appeared on stage, television and radio and she has worked as tutor with BBC Television in Ireland, England and Scotland.  AC

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Carol Lamont

Since training at the Royal Academy of Music, Carol has taught Speech and Drama both in schools and privately. She has been a Trinity Guildhall examiner for many years where her work has taken her to many parts of the world. She now lives in France where she is involved in running workshops for a local drama school (connected with Marcel Marceau), performing on a regular basis and working with a professional theatre company in their bilingual productions. She also directs a local theatre group.  CAB

Edwina Lloyd

Edwina as educated and trained in Bristol, gaining teaching diplomas for LAMDA and Guildhall. She spent three years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, followed by Birmingham Rep. As a teacher, Edwina taught Speech and Drama in state and private schools for 45 years. As a professional actress, she spent three years in children’s theatre, visiting primary and secondary schools. Most recently, alongside TV work, Edwina loves giving recitals.

George Logan

Born in Northern Ireland, George became a member of the Federation of Festivals in 1983. Much of his career has been in education, working for the last sixteen years mainly in the regulation and inspection of schools and children’s services, both maintained and independent. He became an examiner initially for the Poetry Society and, in 1989, for the Guildhall School (now Trinity-Guildhall) and examines widely across the British Isles and overseas in speech, drama and musical theatre. Despite a very full working life, he enjoys adjudicating festivals at home and abroad.

Sylvia Lorden

Sylvia has lived and worked in Rugby all her life and teaches children, students and adults. Having trained in Dance, she became very interested in Speech and Drama through encouragement from Rugby High School. She went on to produce pantomimes, musicals and plays as well as taking leading roles and has appeared in two TV films and in television shows. Sylvia loves to encourage all forms of performing arts and believes that the discipline of structured training and significantly develops her pupils and that they all ‘walk tall’ as a result. She is a Federation Adjudicator for both Dance and Speech & Drama.  ABC

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Timothy McCarthy

Tim trained at the National University of Ireland and Cork School of Music. He has been a Speech and Drama Teacher at his own studio for some years, teaching all ages, subjects and levels. He is an examiner at Trinity Guildhall and has directed teacher training courses in Kuala Lumpur and Colombo as well as in Cork, where he is also the Administrator of the Cork Music and Drama Festival. Tim has been drama tutor at the annual British Youth Camp Festival, Sri Lanka and at the Federation of Festivals’ Speech Summer Course. He has directed an adult drama company for ten years.  CBAD

Eleanor McLeod

Eleanor comes from Swansea in Wales, where she first gained a love of the spoken word through taking LAMDA examinations, later gaining her LAMDA teaching diploma. She is also a qualified teacher with a Masters Degree in Education. Eleanor has been a professional actress for most of her life, appearing on stage, television, radio and taking Shakespeare to schools all over the world for the British Council. A member of the LAMDA examinations board, she is also a published author of two books of poetry for children.  AC

Julie McLoughlin

Julie trained at Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama, worked in the professional theatre and has full Equity membership. She has a BA Hons in English Literature and Education (OU) and taught for twenty years, first in Buckinghamshire where she was a Senior Moderator for CSE Drama and then in Jersey, where she set up A’ Level Theatre Studies and GCSE Drama courses. She has directed numerous school productions and is an Associate Member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators. She also works as a mentor for unemployed teenagers and teaches speech, drama, communication skills and public speaking to children and adults.  CD

Louise Manders

Louise first trod the boards when only five days old. Her professional theatrical career, which included repertory and musicals, began with Haymarket Stage Productions. Louise has been awarded LLAM and ALAM diplomas from LAMDA and is also an Associate Member of the Guild of Drama Adjudicators. She is presently Artistic Director of the Phoenix Youth Theatre, formerly the New Focus Theatre, Head of Drama at Crowstone Preparatory School and Speech and Drama Convenor for the Southend Musical Festival. Louise teaches all ages, including adults and specialises in the LAMDA syllabus. She directs plays and musicals and has written many musical plays for children and students.  CBDA

Priscilla Morris

Priscilla was a member of the National Youth Theatre and went on to the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Principal of the Hinckley Speech & Drama Studio and MD of Loud & Clear voice coaching, she has spent many years teaching at all levels. She is the National Voice Consultant to the Amateur Swimming Association and a registered tutor with Voice Care Network. An equity member, she has directed and acted in over 40 productions. Priscilla gives one-woman recitals and is a professional speaker. She is an examiner for LAMDA in the UK and overseas.  BCDA www.loudandclearuk.com

Patricia Mulligan

Patricia has been involved in the festival movement from an early age, performing in festivals and feiseanna all over Ireland. She trained at Trinity College London and has undertaken further training in lighting, organising the school play, movement and dance, make up, mime and public speaking. She has taught in pre-school, primary, grammar and third level education. She has produced plays and pantomimes and is currently the director of ‘Stage Struck’, a summer musical theatre school. At present she runs her own speech and drama school and is the organising secretary for the Banbridge Performing Arts Festival and his Vice-Chairman of the Banbridge District Arts Committee.  C

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Ann Newson

Ann Newson made her first stage appearance at the age of five and has since performed in many leading roles. She studied Speech and Drama at the Royal Academy of Music and then pursued a career in teaching and lecturing in drama colleges and schools throughout England. She has also directed many plays and musicals for children and adults. She runs her own training company specialising in public speaking and presentation skills for business people. Ann is a member of the LAMDA Borad of Examiners and has examined and adjudicated throughout the UK and around the world.

 Tish Nicoll

Born in Aberdeen, Tish trained at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama. She has a wide range of experience in teaching all age groups in schools, colleges and in the business world and is visiting lecturer in vocal communications in colleges in the UK and in Italy. Tish examines for the English Speaking Board (International) Ltd. As well as ‘Voice Over’ work, she has experience as a performer and a director and is a trained singer, specialising in recitals of poetry and song. From an early age Tish took part in festivals and is the Organiser and Chairman of the Chipping Norton Festival.  BCAD

Sally Noble

Sally trained in Bristol where she gained her teaching diplomas and also, for a short while, in London at RADA. She is a speech and drama teacher, an examiner for Vanguard Examinations and also regularly gives workshops on a various aspects of speech and drama. Sally is also a theatre director and actress who regularly judges one-act and full length plays. She finds verse and prose, acting, choral and group speaking, reading and mime exciting to watch from performers of all ages.

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Maeve O’Donoghue

Maeve trained in Dublin with the Olivian Players, the Brendan Smith Theatre Academy and the Leinster School of Music and Drama, and has a teachinglLicentiate from the Leinster School and a performer’s licentiate from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London. She has her my own drama school, VoiceWorks, in Dublin, where students range in age from 6 years to adults and she prepares them for speech, drama, communication and public speaking examinations from very junior to licentiate and for public performances.  D

Jill O’Hare

Jill trained at The Guildhall School of Speech and Drama. An experienced examiner, lecturer and judge, she has worked extensively in Asia, Europe, America and Africa. She teaches many disciplines at ‘Italia Conti’ Newbury and also directs plays, musicals, opera and youth theatre. A professional actress and director, she plays and directs in the West End, Fringe theatre and television. She is a published author of an acting anthology for younger performers.  ABCD

Stephen Owen

Stephen trained as a teacher of drama, speech and movement at Trinity and All Saints’ College, University of Leeds. After qualifying, he studied with Eliner Rutherford. As well as being responsible for drama at the schools in which he worked, he also taught pupils of all ages and abilities privately, from complete beginners to Licentiate (RAM) and Fellowship (LCM) level. Since retiring from headship in July 2007, he has been appointed as an examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).  ABCD

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Keith Ralph

Keith trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art and taught extensively in the south of England and for many years, running his own speech and drama school in West London. He has examined for The Poetry Society, The Central School of Speech and Drama and Trinity Guildhall.  Keith trained at the London

Brian Rawlins

Brian trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama and obtained a licentiate teacher’s diploma from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Formerly Drama Co-ordinator for Keele University, he has also worked as a lecturer in theatre studies for Keele’s Department of Adult and Continuing Education. Brian has worked as both an actor and a director and for many years specialised in youth theatre work. He is currently Director of the Trentham Shakespeare Company and Chairman of the North Staffordshire Operatic Society. He was a member of the Board of Examiners of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art from 1992 until 2007.  BCAD

June Rayner

Since training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, June Rayner has performed, directed, lectured and taught speech and drama all her working life. An former examiner for the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, she is a keen judge of public speaking, working regularly for The English Speaking Union and similar bodies at both national and level. June assesses opera, musical comedy and dramatic productions for The Rose Bowl Competition in seven South Western counties. June has served on the Adjudicators Council and chaired the committee that conducted a review of festivals and adjudicators.

Norma Redfearn

Norma trained at the Northern College of Speech and Drama and Researched at Leicester University. She has performed professionally in Rep and in tours all over the UK. Examining and adjudicating has taken her all over the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Sri Lanka. Teaching has always been her priority and Norma has taught at a variety of schools and colleges. She now teaches at her private studio. Although many of her students are pursuing successful acting careers and others are teaching Speech and Drama, her greatest joy is equipping students with life skills, and the ability to take their place in society confidently.  ABCD

Vivienne Redford

Vivienne has been Principal of the Redford School of Speech & Drama for nearly thirty years, training adults and children from across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire in all aspects of performance and communication. An experienced LAMDA examiner and teacher, Vivienne is also Head of Speech & Drama at a large independent girls’ school in Bedford and runs successful drama classes and summer courses – offering young adults professional instruction in performance and theatre skills. In addition, Vivienne has also directed a diverse range of musical and theatrical productions and many of her former pupils are now working in theatre, film and television across the world.  BADC www.redfordschool.com

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Carol Schroder

Working in the professional theatre, television and cabaret, Carol produced her one woman show. She teaches presentation skills in commerce and industry and has taught ESL, SEN and drama at schools and colleges including Guildford School of Acting, Grandison College and, for 22 years, at Italia Conti Academy of Performing Arts and, until 2007, Croham Hurst School, Croydon. Carol examines for LAMDA throughout the UK, Ireland and worldwide. Writing “The Discussion” 1&2 for LAMDA she contributed to its Musical Theatre syllabus and “Musical Theatre – Exploring The World Through Song”. She was a trustee of Voice Care Network UK.  BCAD

Michael Stone

Michael trained with Peggy Batchelor at Ridley Studios, Southend, gaining a LAMDA diploma. He took part in productions at the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend with the ‘Studios’ performance company. His teaching experience was with a branch of the Studios, Rayleigh, and also as a lecturer in acting and public speaking for Essex County Council. Presently, he is a LAMDA examiner and a member of staff at Masters Performing Arts College, Essex helping to train students hoping to work in professional theatre. The current age range Michael teaches ranges from seven years to twenty plus.  BCAD

Maryrose Swarbrick

Currently Head of Drama at St. Mary’s Hall, Stonyhurst College, a prestigious boarding school, Maryrose has worked extensively in the theatre from a very young age, in everything from pantomime to Shakespeare. Musical theatre, though, remains her first love and with the help of her daughters she runs her own long-established school of performing arts and theatre company. As a director and choreographer, she loves nothing more than to encourage the young (and not-so-young!) in all aspects of dance and drama.  BDCA

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Silvie Taylor

Silvie studied in her home town of Dundee and with examiners from Trinity College, London. She is a member of the Scottish Association of Speech & Drama Adjudicators and Scottish Community Drama Association. After teaching privately she opted for the greater flexibility offered by adjudicating, which has taken her throughout UK, to Canada, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and on many occasions to Hong Kong. She has judged public speaking at national level, is a book reviewer, freelance writer and past president of the Scottish Association of Writers.  AC

Mary Ann Tear

Mary Ann is a communication skills & performing arts and trainer, choreographer, director and senior examiner and trainer for Trinity Guildhall and ran her own arts school in Hertfordshire. During the past 8 years this work has taken her to several continents, as well as centres in Europe and the UK. Prior to this she was a UK lecturer in performing arts working for the Universities of Hertfordshire and Middlesex, whilst pursuing a professional theatrical career. She has created works that have been performed from the Royal Festival Hall to Singapore. She has a Cert TESOL and judge on the ESU Public Speaking Competition.  DBCA

Rebecca Thompson

Penny was born and educated in Brighton, where her parents ran a well known drama school. She received her full time training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went straight into professional theatre. She has appeared in the UK and much of Europe in theatre and TV. A festival competitor herself from an early age, she has always been associated with festival work, having run the Springboard Festival for many years. She is now President of the Sussex Festival of Dance and Song. Penny examined for Guildhall for many years in the UK and Internationally

Jenny Thornton

Jenny trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and, having led a performing arts team, now enjoys running her own performance centre, delivering drama, dance and musical theatre to students from 4 years to adults. Her work in a local secondary school involves A Level Drama and Theatre Studies and she also works in drama clubs. She is an Assistant Principal for Edexcel, examining GCSE practical performances.  BDCA drama

Philip Thrupp

Philip studied for a Diploma in Fine Art and Theatre Design at the Exeter College of Art and trained in speech and drama at the Hartly Hodder Studio. He has diplomas from LAMDA and Guildhall in both teaching and performing. Tutor of Voice and Speech at Wesley College, Bristol for ten years, he also taught at a children’s theatre school and his own studio, taking students from initial to diploma. He has been International Examinations Co-ordinator for LAMDA and examines for Trinity Guildhall International Examinations Board. Philip has travelled four continents presenting workshops in Verse Speaking, Contemporary Drama, Public Speaking and ‘Playing Restoration and 18th Century Comedy.’  ABDC

Margaret Tomlinson

Margaret has taught Speech and Drama in both primary and secondary schools and as a lecturer in the drama departments of Moray House College of Education and Jordanhill College of Education. She was awarded the Page Scholarship to study educational practice in the USA. At Glasgow University, she taught courses in communication skills. Margaret has organised and taught inset courses in Scotland, Switzerland, Germany and Italy and examined in the UK and Far East and Africa. With wide experience as an actor and director, she has served on the Board of Citizens Theatre for 30 years and chaired the Citizens Theatre Society.  BCD

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Ann Warr

Ann has been involved with drama and poetry for most of her life. She first started working for the BBC at the age of nine, later becoming involved with professional theatre both on stage and backstage. As a teacher, she has worked with all ages. She also advises in the art of public speaking, finding work in the professional and business communities. Work in Speech and Drama has taken her to many parts of the world including England, Ireland, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Director, adjudicator, lecturer, teacher and examiner for Trinity Guildhall, Ann also ‘treads the boards’ herself, being involved with plays from Shakespeare to pantomime.  C