First-time adjudicator looking forward to wide range of Eisteddfod classes
Admiring the breadth of talent performing in the speech and drama section of this year’s Eisteddfod will be one of the highlights for a competition adjudicator visiting the island for the first time this week.
Jenny Thornton, who is normally based in Twickenham in London, began watching performances yesterday in classes including poem recital and prose reading, and will be at Beau Sejour until next Monday as the speech and drama section progresses.
A member of the British and International Federation of Festivals, with over 30 years’ experience in performing arts, Mrs Thornton trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and presently runs her own performance centre.
She was adjudicating at Portadown Festival in Belfast last week before arriving in Guernsey on Saturday.
She said that local Eisteddfod organisers had been trying to get her to come to the island for a number of years.
‘I’ve been to Jersey before but this is my first time in Guernsey.
‘There are a wide range of classes this week and I’m looking forward to watching each performance.’
Among the key attributes she was looking out for included technique and enjoyment.
‘For those older, more experienced performers, I’ll really be looking out for their technique and how they present their performance.
‘For younger competitors they’re already very brave for getting up and doing it in the first place so that’ll be looked upon positively, as well as how they bring their work alive and how much they look like they’re enjoying being up there.’
She was full of praise for those taking part, and encouraged more people to get involved.
‘Performing changed my life. As a child I had both a stammer and a lisp and by taking up speech and drama it helped me to gradually get rid of both of those impairments.
‘It builds up your confidence and I’d recommend it to anybody.’
