REHEARSALS WELL UNDERWAY

All around the country, rehearsals are well under way for the end of year shows at the Helen O'Grady Drama Academy. Children in all age groups are learning lines and moves and songs and dances and generally having a great time!

Things start off slowly in Lower Primary. In Leicestershire, these children are starting by learning lines.

Children learn lines and moves for "The Snake Charmer"

In Glasgow, children are trying their costumes for the first time.

 

 

The Sultan, his daughter and her handmaidens are ready to go!

Upper Primary children in Leicestershire are working on 'The Cleanest Town In Texas' and their play opens with a very bored cast waiting for something to happen!

"There's nothing to do in Abilene ............."

Unlike 'The Bold Buccaneers' in Glasgow who are having all sorts of exciting adventures on their pirate ship, including rescuing three Royal Navy sailors from their raft!

"Land ahoy!"

"Sailors from Her Majesty's Navy, reporting for duty."

Other classes in Leicestershire are working on 'Rent A Crowd' - and taking their characterisation skills very seriously!

"Rent, rent, rent, rent ...............

Meanwhile in Upper Primary classes in Perth, strange things are happening at the end of year 'Scarathon'. Could it be anything to do with the curse of Jack Cooper?

"I'm glad I brought my teddy to comfort me ............."

"Imagine That! - the curse of Jack Cooper! Just a story?"

Finished productions are being presented from next week onwards and children, parents and teachers are very excited!

Visit www.helenogrady.co.uk for details of classes near you. It may be too late to be in the cast this year, but you could still go along and see the performances and join in the fun from September.

PRODUCTION SEMINAR IN MANCHESTER

The summer term is production term in Helen O'Grady classes and this weekend a Training Seminar was hosted, by the management team, in Manchester, to explore the plays and to workshop as many as possible. Proceedings were kicked off by Executive Principal, Alison Mazanec, working on speech, movement and body language to help develop excellent characters. Principals and their teachers became pirates, cowboys, guests at a wedding and knights of the realm among other things, just to interact with each other.

Alison, tambourine at the ready, about to start the workshops.

This year, several Principals from around the country were also asked to lead workshops and the assembled gathering were more than happy to join in.

Edinburgh Principal, Glyn Owen, was happy to deliver his lines with lots of attitude!

Bolton Principal, Karen Ryder, had every reason to smile!

As well as participating, Karen Ryder, above, wrote the Upper Primary play "Imagine That!" and was delighted to see the play finally come to life. Cheshire Principal, Brian Ormrod, and Training Supervisor, Susannah Gill also wrote new works for this cycle and they too were pleased with the results.

 

Everyone went home very excited about the coming term. When teachers can have such a great time presenting the plays, it is easy for them then to inspire the children in their classes. It gives children everywhere the opportunity to be part of something positive and successful. Every child is a star and each will have their moments of glory on stage - whilst also having lots of fun!

For details of classes near you, go to www.helenogrady.co.uk 

OOH LA LA!!

"Tray Chic" has proved a very popular production with teachers and children alike this year. Set in a top class French restaurant, with cranky Chef Pierre, it has been a real test for French accents! Students from Tayforth have performed this week. What fantastic props and costumes they had!

 In Malta, students recreated the whole French restaurant effect and there were shouts of "Yes, Chef!" resounding everywhere.

The play was originally written by our colleagues at Helen O'Grady Africa and we were delighted to adapt it for children in the UK and Europe.

In England and Wales, productions are starting later in July, whereas classes in Scotland, Ireland (and Malta!) finish their term much earlier.

We are proud of all our students and look forward to sharing lots more production photographs! For details of all locations visit www.helenogrady.co.uk