Professional actor visit inspires students before exams

The College’s Drama students have been given a helping hand to prepare for their upcoming practical assessments with the visit of a professional actor.

Elinor Lawless has starred in theatre, radio, film and TV roles and is now waiting for the broadcast of Comedy Central and BBC parts that she has recently filmed, including an Eastenders debut.

With students’ assessments just two weeks away, they perform dress rehearsals on Wednesday evening for staff, parents and other visitors before having their final pieces watched by examiners.

The work they exhibit is a combination of devised pieces that they have written themselves and scripted performances given to them on the day, and Elinor was in College working alongside Drama teacher and Head of Performing Arts, Sian Murray, to help bring out the best in the students’ acting and dramatic practice.

Elinor said: “I’ve come in to help the students learn skills in how to devise and how to use their time in order to get the best exam results. I’ve done a lot of theatre but recently have had a lot more TV work. I’ve just filmed a pilot for Comedy Central and then had BBC parts in Eastenders and also Shakespeare and Hathaway.”

Classical trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Elinor has been a professional actor for the last 13 years, and on her advice for young people with eyes on a career in acting, she said: “Be tenacious. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. I’ve had ups and downs in my career but if you’re passionate about something then you have to go after it. For me, it’s all about good work with good people, and if you’re in it for the right reasons, then it’s something worth sticking at.”

Drama teachers Sian said: “It’s always great for students to learn from somebody in the acting profession who can offer insight from real life, practical experience. Elinor also offered an additional perspective on things and I think some of her ideas and her enthusiasm for what she does were quite inspiring for the students. They’ve been working particularly hard on these practical assessments and we’re really looking forward to performing them tomorrow night for staff and visitors.”

Performances by the students begin at 6:30pm on Wednesday 13^th March. Visitors are welcome to the Drama Studio, with a nominal £1 ticket charge going to Maggie’s at Clatterbridge.