
Speech and Drama pupils at Rydal Penrhos achieved another exceptional set of results at this year’s Chester Competitive Festival of Performing Arts.
Rydal Penrhos has a long-standing tradition of Speech and Drama, with peripatetic lessons available for pupils either individually or in small groups.
The benefits of these sessions go far beyond the study of communication and acting skills. They are an aid to boosting confidence, expression, creativity and imagination, as well as developing speaking and listening skills, which encourages individuals to participate more in class and improve their communication skills and social interaction.
Pupils enter LAMDA (the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations annually and consistently achieve outstanding results, with exams at Grades 6 to 8 earning UCAS points. Speech and Drama lessons are especially valuable to Sixth Form pupils, as the skills involved can play a crucial role in achieving success at university or job interviews.
Aside from LAMDA examinations, one of the major highlights of taking part in Speech and Drama is the opportunity to participate in the Chester Competitive Festival of Performing Arts. The combined festival of speech & language and music has existed for over 90-years and attracts over one thousand competitors each year who come from all parts of the region and beyond. It seeks to provide a forum for amateurs to perform and compete with others of a similar standard.
The Rydal Penrhos contingent that participated in the festival secured 14 first-place awards in various individual and group categories, along with 8 second-place awards. Many other pupils achieved high scores and third places, resulting in a successful outing for the group. Rydal Penrhos pupils also secured three trophies: the Ellesmere Trophy for Solo Drama, presented to Isla Williams-Anderson; the Allison Cup for Prepared Reading, won by Steffan Atenstaedt; and the Benjamin Williams Trophy for Acting Duologue, secured by the talented duo of Safa Maqsood and Violet Roberts.
The full list of results is available below.
All credit goes to the pupils, who have developed their skills throughout the academic year under the guidance of Mrs Christina Bloomfield, who brings over 30 years’ experience to her practice. The school congratulates each pupil on their achievements and for representing the school positively.
Pupils can join the Speech and Drama programme throughout the year. If you are interested in your child taking part in lessons, then please contact Mrs Bloomfield at info@bloomfieldacademy.co.uk for more details.
Rydal Penrhos Chester Competitive Festival of Performing Arts Results
YEAR 7 & 8
Solo Drama
- 1st (The Ellesmere Trophy) – Isla Williams-Anderson
- 3rd – Steffan Atenstaedt
Solo Mime
- 1st – Lewis Jellicoe
Group Mime
- 1st (94 marks) – Tillie Bennett and Freya Griffith
Spiritual Reading
- 1st – Carys Dougherty
Prepared Reading – Year 7
- 1st (The Allison Cup) – Steffan Atenstaedt
- 2nd – Mattea Vianello
Prepared Reading – Year 8
- 2nd (87 marks) – Isla Williams-Anderson
- 86 marks – Gabriella England-Bryant
- 85 marks – Lewis Jellicoe
- 85 marks – Emily Nurse
- 84 marks – Tillie Bennett
- 84 marks – Freya Griffith
- 84 marks – Ben Harvey
Prepared Original Scene
- 1st – Freya Griffith and Tillie Bennett
- 2nd – Ben Harvey and Lewis Jellicoe
- 3rd – Carys Dougherty, Gabriella England-Bryant and Emily Nurse
Group Improvisation
- 1st – Carys Dougherty, Gabriella England-Bryant and Emily Nurse
- 2nd – Ben Harvey and Lewis Jellicoe
YEAR 9 & 10
Solo Drama
- 2nd – Finlay Perry
Acting Duologue
- 1st (The Benjamin Williams Trophy) – Safa Maqsood and Violet Roberts
Group Mime
- 1st – Joshua Callan and Joseph Poller
Reading at Sight
- 1st – Finlay Perry
Spiritual Reading
- 3rd – Ed Beamish
Prepared Reading – Year 10
- 2nd – Violet Roberts
Prepared Original Scene
- 1st – Molly Alefounder, Finlay Perry and John Wegrzynowski
- 2nd – Ed Beamish, Joshua Callan and Joseph Poller
Group Improvisation
- 1st – Molly Alefounder, Finlay Perry and John Wegrzynowski
- 2nd – Ed Beamish, Joshua Callan and Joseph Poller
YEAR 11, 12 & 13
Prepared Original Scene
- 1st – Alice Beamish and Orla Williams
Prepared Reading
- 3rd – Orla Williams
Group Improvisation
- 1st – Emily Jones, Safa Maqsood and Violet Roberts









