Pupils amaze with virtual performances in Sheffield Girls' Acting Competition

Aspiring actors performed their socks off virtually in this year’s Acting Competition. An annual competition usually held in person, this year twenty-nine budding actors from the Senior School submitted recorded pieces, and we were delighted by all the entries. 

The winners were:

1st Place: Emily Houghton
2nd Place: Isobel Ryder
3rd Place: Alice Lumb
Best Devised Piece: Florence Billing & Lydia Stevens 

Year 10 Winner: Elosie Welch
Year 9 Winner: Amelie Hiller & Esme Beckett
Year 8 Winner: Melissa Harrower
Year 7 Winner: Natalie Fooks

We’re thrilled that our pupils took part so enthusiastically in virtual versions of co-curricular activities, and were still able to express themselves creatively despite Covid-19 restrictions. The Drama department has worked incredibly hard to ensure this competition was able to continue, and we’ve all thoroughly enjoyed watching performances of our talented girls. 

Pupils from Year 7 - 10 were invited to submit a monologue, duologue, or group piece that could be scripted or devised. Submissions were then judged by professional actor, and Sheffield Girls’ alumna, Letty Butler, who has previously worked on Young Dracula and BBC’s Jane Eyre.  

Letty is also an acting coach, and each entrant received personalised feedback on their performance. She was supported by her mother, screen actor Phillipa Howell who has worked on Coronation Street and The Worst Witch. 

Letty said, “This was so hard to judge in the end! I had to confer with Mum over some of the pieces and felt there were some very strong contenders. I added an extra prize for Best Devised Piece, as I felt a mention was deserved.”

Letty is currently finishing her debut novel, Escape Artists, which she is planning to adapt for screen in 2021. Some of our pupils have been interviewed by Letty as part of her research.