Drama in Eden

DRAMA plays an important part in schooling in Herm, with teacher Mary Carey involved with the performing arts section of the Guernsey Arts Commission.

The children perform in two concerts a year and use this medium to help them understand classic literature by acting it out, which makes it easier for them to relate to it.

They were even on the cover of Drama magazine a couple of years ago.

This experience was a big help to Herm School pupil Eden Latter when she joined the students at the Avril Earl Dance and Theatre Arts Centre a year and a half ago. Although nine-year-old Eden can't do theatre classes with the centre because there are no boats at that time, she does several dance classes and has private lessons with Avril Earl and with singing teachers Andrew Warren and West End actor Paul Monaghan.

Thanks to their tuition, Eden has already passed two grade two Lamda exams in drama and musical theatre.

Last week, she took part in her second Eisteddfod.

Herm School pupils don't usually take part in the festival, mainly because it means staying over in Guernsey for many of the competition groups, as they don't fit in with boat times. But Mrs Carey is always encouraging her pupils to take part in anything that will be a valuable experience.

Eden's most ambitious entry came straight from a school concert. The Worst Pies in London, from Sweeney Todd, had featured in Herm's summer concert last year. With a lot of work and staging, this complicated song made a great musical character study.

Eden placed second in two categories and fourth in a further two.