Drama here at Redmaids' High has progressed from the stage to the screen, as Niki and Mollie secure professional acting roles.

Head Girl Niki (pictured right), spent three weeks on location last year, recording her part in the film Blinded by the Light. Directed by Gurinder Chadha (of Bend it like Beckham fame), the film features a Muslim family and considers racism in the 1980s with Niki playing the part of 17 year old Shazir. It is due to go on general release later this year.

Niki describes the experience as ‘crazy’, but said, “Gurinder was a really supportive director which helped a lot, as did my experience of working with the National Youth Theatre.”

Meanwhile, Mollie in Year 12 has just been awarded a significant role in the upcoming television production of Jane Austen’s Sanditon.  This came about after our Head of Drama, Ms McCormack, was contacted by casting agent Sarah Counsell, with details of an open casting call for teenage actors from Bristol.

Approximately 700 young people sent in audition tapes, and from that 30 were called for a live audition. Of those 30, over 10 were from Redmaids’ High School, two of which were recalled for a screen test with Mollie being given the role.

Following the auditions, we received the following message, “I wanted to thank you for sending me SO many incredibly talented girls for my recent Sanditon casting. They have all been simply outstanding. Not only are they all exceptionally talented, but they are truly lovely girls and an absolute credit to you and your school in every way.”

As Ms McCormack said, “We have a wealth of acting talent here, which we really nurture and develop, and that allows us to stage school productions of an exceptionally high standard.

“Securing professional work is a natural next step for some of our students.”