Young artists

As a result of her success in the Young Writers Festival,(see below), Chloe Gale, the Laureate, was invited to review  The Lady or the Tiger at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond.  Chloe writes:-

When arriving at the Orange Tree theatre to see 'The Lady or the Tiger' on a cold Thursday evening, I really didn't know what to expect. I knew that it was a musical, set in a 'semi-barbaric kingdom' - and that was it. It seemed as though much of the audience was in the same boat, and for the first few minutes we were unsure of what to think. It was down to Factotum, played by Andrew C Wadsworth, to get us onside; and with his charm and confidence he quickly achieved this, smashing the fourth wall, and well and truly winning us over.
The catchy tunes were played lustily by the two court musicians, Greg Last and Tom Sellwood, who sang beautifully and added much comedy to the proceedings. The lyrics are witty and were performed with great flair by the whole ensemble. Factotum continued to delight throughout the production with his witty asides and versatility. Howard Samuels skilfully conveyed the playful, yet overridingly self-obsessed and tyrannical, King, who rules his kingdom according to whim and keeps his daughter, Princess, under lock and key. Riona O Connor, playing the part of Princess, won the hearts of the audience with her very strong vocals and sense of desperation at her childish treatment. The arrival of Hero, 'just a guy with a guitar', marks a change in her fortunes; Eke Chukwu convincingly portrayed Princess' love interest with naive charm and an endearing smile.
Just when things are looking up for the pair, Hero becomes the victim of King's latest form of entertainment: a trial whereby he has to choose one of two doors, one of which conceals a tiger who will rip him to shreds, the other the beautiful Lady Evadne whose hand in marriage will be his. Either way Princess will lose the love of her life: what can be done? I must admit that the ending left me feeling a little unsatisfied, but all in all it was a very enjoyable evening. The two sole props were used very effectively and my favourite numbers, 'The Lady or the Tiger', 'Light a Convenient Candle' and 'Here's Gold', have been going round my head all weekend.
A panel of judges had been hard at work identifying the most outstanding pieces of writing from the bulging postbags of poems and short stories which had poured into artsrichmond from enthusiastic Young Writers representing over 30 local schools, clubs and societies. The Winning Writing was celebrated at the Orange Tree Theatre on November 29th when, in addition to many other winners in various age groups, the Young Laureate and the Junior Laureate for Richmond upon Thames were honoured.Chloe Gale (Laureate) from St. Paul’s Girls’ School and Alistair McLaughlin (Junior Laureate) from Trafalgar Juniors, Twickenham, received substantial prizes which were donated by the fund established in memory of Malcolm Richards, Editor of the Richmond and Twickenham Times for 27 years, who died in 2008. Malcolm was a great champion of the arts in Richmond, particularly supporting young people. Laureates were presented by the celebrated author Josceline Dimbleby, whose family had a long connection with the Richmond and Twickenham Times.

Artsrichmond Young Writers’ Festival 2009

The Greenwood Cups for other outstanding work were presented to Lucas Maayeh (Grey Court School),Gemma Craig Sharples (St. James’s Catholic School) and Alexander Jacob (Kew Prep.)
Extracts from the winning works were read to an enthusiastic audience of parents and children by four Young Readers from the Focus Performance Centre in Whitton.

An extract from Hospital by Alistair McLaughlin  Junior Laureate
Trafalgar Junior School, Twickenham

Head Injury

I have been to the hospital casualty unit two times in my life and I can tell you it’s no fun. Here are my stories
Two years ago I was trying to open a door as my sister was trying to shut it. She let go and I hit my head on the corner of the wardrobe. (Sisters eh?!) I was crying and my brother gave me a stone which is meant to help you get better (I don’t believe that!) I asked “Who gave me this stone?” and he told me. A few seconds later I asked “Who gave me this?” I had concussion and Mum took me pronto down to A and E. We got sent to the Children’s Ward and we waited and we waited and we waited. I fell asleep and my brother had a cheese roll and everything was fine…no wait, something did happen. I woke up and we were taken into a room and I was questioned. “What do you remember? What did you have for dinner? Was it nice?” Eventually they said to Mum “Well just monitor him”. I waited all that time for “Well just monitor him”!! As we went home I thought at least I won’t have to go there again, but I was wrong.

…

The real reason I hate everything about the hospital though is that my dad died here last year.


An Extract from Voyage to Rome by Ella Miell-Ingram - Commended
St Mary’s Primary School, Twickenham

The night he slave-dealers came the sound that woke me was that of footsteps creeping up to our small tent. Mother and Father panicked. Father crept to the tent flap and drew his dagger from his belt. I cradled my younger brother in my arms. Mother stood protectively in front of us. Our dog began to growl. I pressed my hand lightly on his head so that he would be quiet. But it was too late. The slave dealers were fighting with father. Mother was screaming. My little brother started whimpering.

One of the slave dealers was putting Mother in chains. Everywhere I heard screaming mothers, fighting fathers, barking dogs and crying children. My father was also put in chains. My brother clung to my hand. I held him close, both of us feeling frightened. Other people were chained next to my parents.

“Ooooh, we’ve forgotten these two” sneered one of the slave-dealers. I cried out as he dragged me away from my brother and locked me up too. Soon my brother was in chains beside me. The horrible slave-dealers put us on the most enormous, terrifying vessel…..

We arrived in Italia. I trembled. My brother wept silently. Everyone else was crying and shaking their heads in fear. The Romans swarmed around us like ants, prodding and poking us, treating us like animals. Mother was sold. I stared in belief when I saw her go. The iron collar that had been round her neck lay on the ground….

I saw a Roman man and his wife, son and daughter coming towards us. He bought me. The Roman woman whispered something to him. He nodded and bought my brother too.
…..


Laureates with Josceline Dimbleby


Years 1-4


Years 5-6

Years 7-10

All the winners:

Laureate: Chloe Gale (St. Paul's Girls' School)

Junior Laureate: Alistair McLaughlin (Trafalgar Junior School, Twickenham)


Years 1-4

  • 1st - Natasha Syed This is the hand Lady Eleanor Holles
  • 2nd - Kate Lally The night before Christmas Trafalgar Junior yr3
  • 3rd - Elia Rogers The sausages St Elizabeth's Catholic School yr3
  • Commended - Eve O'Sullivan Richmond, Kew, How do you do? St Elizabeth's Catholic School J1
  • Greenwood Cup - Gemma Craig-Sharples Midnight Meadow St James’s Catholic Primary Yr3


Years 5-6

  • 1st - Jasper Spires Water paradise Queens School Kew yr 6
  • Joint 2nd -
    Alistair McLaughlin Hospital Trafalgar Junior yr 6
    Ella Targett A gift in the ocean St Stephen’s Cof E Junior yr6
  • 3rd - Claudia Caralyn Jacob  Cosmo's crazy computer Old Vicarage yr 6
  • Commended - Ella Miell-Ingram   Voyage to Rome   St Mary’s Primary yr5
  • Greenwood cup - Alexander Michael Jacob   Web work   Kew Prep yr 6

Years 7-10

  • 1st - Daisy Chandley Nowhere land Yr 8 St Paul’s Girls School
  • 2nd - Nicholas Plaut Crashed Westminster Lower Yr 7
  • 3rd - Kendel Ruppert Work at war Waldegrave School for Girls yr7
  • Commended -
    Emily Tyler Freedom St John The Baptist Junior yr 7
    Alexandra Horton Me St John The Baptist Junior yr 7
  • Greenwood Cup - Lucas Maayeh A collection of simple minded mini sagas Grey Court yr 9

Year 11+

  • 1st - Chloe Gale A little light reading St Paul’s Girls’ Yr 12
  • 2nd - Rhianna Ilube Wait St Catherine’s Twickenham Yr 11
  • 3rd - Simrun Sekhon The horizon St Catherine’s Twickenham Yr 12
  • Commended -
    Rebecca Davies This is a photograph of 3 children St Catherine’s Twickenham Yr 12
    Victoria Lazarus Going back Yr 12 St Paul’s Girls School