Two young performers from The Georgian Theatre Royal’s Youth Theatre have triumphed at the recent Wensleydale Tournament of Music and Speech, demonstrating exceptional talent in acting and public speaking.
Six-year-old Maxwell Simpson, a pupil at Aysgarth School, and eleven-year-old Isabella Williamson, a pupil at Middleton Tyas School, impressed judges with their outstanding performances, earning multiple awards.
Maxwell enjoyed an incredible run of success at the Wensleydale Tournament, held from 17-28 March. He won first place in the Poem (Year 2) category, the Tell a Tale (Open Class) category, and the Prose (Year 2) category. His strong reading abilities saw him take first place in the Sight Reading (Open Class, Y2-Y6) category, earning him the Ruth Harrison Challenge Cup. Additionally, his delivery of a passage in the Bible Reading (Open Class, Y2-Y4) category secured him first place and the Mary Palmer Cup.
His achievements at the Wensleydale Tournament followed an equally impressive performance at the Harrogate Competitive Festival for Music, Speech and Drama, held from 7-23 March. There, he won first place in the Solo Acting (Years 1-3) category and third place in Prepared Reading (Years 1-3).
Meanwhile, Isabella demonstrated her musical theatre talents at the Wensleydale Tournament by earning a Certificate of Merit in the Disney Solo class (11 and under), a fantastic achievement that highlights her vocal ability and stage presence.
Maxwell’s mother, Rachael Simpson, praised The Georgian Theatre Royal’s Youth Theatre for nurturing her son’s confidence and skills. She said:
“Maxwell joined the Youth Theatre in 2024, and the classes have given him a wonderful platform to explore his creative side and improve his acting and public speaking skills. It is a privilege to have the opportunity to perform at such a historic venue as part of the Youth Theatre group. Aimee is a fantastic teacher – it has been a pleasure to watch her infectious enthusiasm spread in Maxwell. Aimee guided Maxwell on his path to success, and we're looking forward to watching him flourish in the future with the Youth Theatre team.”
Maxwell himself added:
“Aimee challenges us, but at the same time makes us feel like anything is possible.”
The Georgian Theatre Royal’s Youth Theatre, led by Aimee Shields, provides a nurturing and inspiring environment where young performers (aged 6-18 years) can build confidence, develop their acting abilities, and take to the stage in one of the UK’s most historic theatres.
New members are always welcome, and anyone interested in joining the Youth Theatre can find more information by visiting The Georgian Theatre Royal website or contacting the Theatre directly on 01748 823710.