with the National Youth Theatre

Humphrey McColl, Upper Sixth, and Frankie Palazzo, Middle Sixth, recently made the journey to Newcastle to audition for the National Youth Theatre and both have been awarded places. A great achievement given that approximately 4,000 individuals are interviewed annually for only 400 places.

The day consisted of a morning’s Drama Workshop followed by an interview. When asked about his experience, Humphrey said: ‘The workshop was stimulating and varied. Over the course of three hours, I had fallen in love, gained a bitter hatred for a rival and was convinced there was a bomb in the room. I was also given the opportunity to make sculptures out of living people and be one myself, participate as a member of a team and create a production in under five minutes. Exhausting but undeniably exhilarating. During the course of the workshop, I couldn’t help but be struck by the sheer energy and atmosphere of the place. Every single person in the room was giving 100% of their focus and energy. This sometimes seemed to have an electric effect and became utterly contagious and completely brilliant. Needless to say I’m delighted to have a place’.

Both Humphrey and Frankie are seasoned actors with Ampleforth Theatre having participated in a number of productions.