Isleworth & Syon School continues to produce top-quality talent in the performing arts. We are delighted that Year 9 students Harry Doherty and Aryan Sarna have been accepted into the most prestigious youth acting programme in the UK – the National Youth Theatre (NYT). Alumni of the programme include Daniel Craig, David Oyelowo and Dame Helen Mirren. The school has now sent 12 students to the NYT or NYMT (National Youth Music Theatre) in the last eight years. Many of these have gone on to work in the West End, either on stage or behind-the-scenes.

In February, 20 students across Years 9-12 were invited to take part in the audition process, consisting of a three-hour ensemble workshop and then one monologue. It was a rich and talented field consisting of the school’s most promising dramatic talent, with Harry and Aryan the standout performers. They will now take part in the junior acting course this summer, a pathway leading to entrance into the company in September. This will then entitle them to audition for the company’s productions and learn from some of the top dramatic minds in the UK.

Tom McDonnell, head of performing arts, said, “A casting agent recently told Hounslow drama teachers that seeing National Youth Theatre on a young actor’s CV is a real mark of quality that makes them stand out. I am really thrilled that the most prestigious youth company in Britain have accepted more of our students. Aryan and Harry are the youngest of our students to have got in; I hope this experience will open their eyes to the myriad opportunities available in the performing arts.”

Headteacher Euan Ferguson commented, “In school, we believe that the performing arts are crucial to students’ development and wellbeing, and therefore we work hard every day to encourage and nurture their abilities. These boys have worked brilliantly with our specialist teachers to develop into fine young actors that have a bright future ahead of them.”

 

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