Private School News

Three out of the five UK Finalists for LAMDA Competition are from Howell’s School, Llandaff, GDST in Cardiff

Three students from Howell’s School, Llandaff are through to the UK final of the LAMDA* London Communication and Performance Awards Competition in London on Saturday 12th September 2009.

This is the fifth year in a row that a student from Howell’s School, Llandaff in Cardiff has made it through to the Finals. LAMDA invite the 5 top scoring candidates in each category for a day of competition held at the academy’s premises in London and the winners will have the chance to perform on the stage of the famous MacOwan Theatre in Earl’s Court.

To get through to the final, Sophie Jenkins, Emma Griffiths and Shanna Engelhardt, who are students at Howell’s School, Llandaff and study speech and drama with teacher Sarah Cooksey, had to complete three examinations and score highly in each of them. Being a finalist means that they are currently one of the top five candidates in their categories in the UK and Ireland and will compete against their peers for a substantial cash prize. They will each perform a scene from a play, ranging from Anne Frank’s Diary to The Surviving Twin, at the final on Saturday.

The finalists Sophie Jenkins (14, Cyncoed), Shanna Engelhardt (14, Lisvane) and Emma Griffiths (14, Llandaff) are thrilled to have made it through the final. Sophie exclaimed “It is a great opportunity and it is really exciting to be chosen.”

Shanna said “It is pretty cool, I didn’t expect it. I am really looking forward to performing in London. Nia Jones, was the finalist last year and she has given us some tips on what to expect.”
On going to London, Emma Griffiths effused “I am really nervous but excited! It has given me a boost to my confidence in Drama.”

*The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art