Speech and drama contests held

The Central Coast Eisteddfod speech and drama performances were given at the Peninsula Theatre on Friday, June 11

Performers from Peninsula drama schools gave presentations of nursery rhymes, poetry, Australian poetry, monologues and characterisations as part of the speech and drama section of the Central Coast Eisteddfod.

Drama teacher Amanda Benson was responsible for 22 children presenting at the Eisteddfod on Friday.

She said the event fared well in the intimate atmosphere of the Peninsula Theatre and is now an annual event on the Peninsula.

"It's a beautiful little theatre to do speech in and it's the second year the theatre has been open," she said.

The performances were open to the public and there were both junior and senior championship categories.

Ms Benson said her students were enthusiastic.

"They're just regular kids who have decided to give drama a go, some because they want to be actors, other to overcome shyness."

Her pupils are aged from 5 to 14 years.

The younger performers presented nursery rhymes in costume on Friday morning, and older students prepared monologues and characterisations later in the day.

Ms Benson said her eldest student was 14, and took part in the championship division with a performance of Joan of Arc.

There are also piano and ballet sections of the Eisteddfod held later in the year at Laycock St Theatre.

Alison Branley, June 8