TV acting school for children opens in Harrogate

A drama school whose star students regularly appear in TV shows has opened in Harrogate.

Articulate Drama School and Agency supplies child actors for production companies on programmes such as All Creatures Great and Small, Gentleman Jack, Peaky Blinders, Emmerdale, and Last Tango in Halifax.

It is now running weekly classes for young people aged five to 21 at St George’s Community Centre on Mornington Crescent.

Stacey Burrows, director of Articulate, said:

“Harrogate is fortunate enough to offer lots of opportunities for young people to get involved in drama and the arts, but for those wanting to explore the art of TV acting and see how they get on in the industry, Articulate classes and representation can be just what is needed.

“We chose Harrogate because increasingly, our TV and film clients are asking us for children to film in nearby locations such as the Yorkshire Dales, York, Ripon and Harrogate itself.”

Some of Articulate’s talented youngsters include Tilly Kaye, who plays Biff in CBeebies series Biff & Chip and Austin Haynes, who has just finished filming as a leading role in sequel to the The Railway Children, which is set to be released in cinemas in April next year.

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Some of its actors have also worked overseas for TV and advertising projects. For example, Ilkley teen Henry Kent flew to Mexico to film a Coca Cola advert.

Ms Burrows said the agency’s set-up was geared purely towards TV and sessions were filmed so children could analyse their skills.

There is no singing or dancing, and she said often children without backgrounds in those areas adapted better because they were more natural. Anyone can take part.

Sessions take place on Wednesday evenings and cost £29.50 a month. A free trial is available.

For further details visit here. Or you can email dramaschool@articulatesdc.com or call 01274 033773.

Photo: (left) Aiden Cook on the set of All Creatures Great and Small and (right) Dexter Hughes with Suranne Jones on the set of Gentleman Jack

 

Harrogate student stars in second series of All Creatures Great and Small

Popular drama All Creatures Great and Small returns tonight on Channel 5  with Harrogate Grammar student Imogen Clawson reprising her role as Jenny Alderson.

Fourteen year old Imogen has just started studying for her GSCEs and had to do an hour a day tutoring whilst she was on the TV set.

It is the second time James Herriot’s famous books, as life as a vet in the Dales, have been dramatised for TV.  It’s has been a big success for Channel 5 bringing in millions of viewers.

When asked about the similarities she shares with her character Jenny Alderson, Imogen said:

“We share the same confident flair, we’re both independent and witty, and we both have a love for animals”

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Imogen said it has been great to work with the cast of All Creatures Great and Small and how supportive her school, Harrogate Grammar, has been.

Neil Renton, head teacher of HGS, said:

“We are incredibly proud of Imogen’s achievements and her commitment to the arts. She effectively balances the pressures of her acting role with her studies and this a real credit to her dedication. We look forward to watching the new series and seeing her future career unfold.”

Imogen added that the show’s success may also be down to timing :

“It’s a great show to watch after covid 19 as it’s a very relaxing show.”

Series 2 of All Creatures Great and Small starts at 9pm tonight on Channel 5, Thursday, September 16.