Speech & Drama Classes

Sunday 1^st March - Sunday 22^nd March 2026

CALLY FOSTER has, since her first appearance in a Festival at the age of five, been committed to the Festival movement and has pursued a career as a Speech and Drama specialist. She was the principal of her Buckinghamshire based drama studio for more than 20 years, combining that role with travelling extensively in the UK, Europe and Internationally as an Examiner for LAMDA and as a Federation Adjudicator.

Cally also delivers workshops on all aspects of communication and performance and is on various Speakers’ Panels. She has served as both a Speech & Drama Deputy and Representative on the Adjudicators Council and is a Past Chairman of the Society of Teachers of Speech and Drama (STSD).

Cally believes that performing in festivals not only encourages an appreciation of the Arts but also develops the communication and presentation skills so important in today’s increasingly electronic world.

JEAN-MARC PERRET trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. His theatre credits include the Royal Shakespeare Company and many regional appearances. His TV & Film appearances include Prince Caspian in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, and Revelation. In the US, he has played in This Is Us and American Woman.

He is currently a teacher and examiner for the London College of Music (Drama / Communication & Musical Theatre). He previously examined for LAMDA for ten years and Trinity College, London for two years. He is trained as a British Academy of Dramatic Combat fight instructor: credits include Disney’s Cinderella, d’Artagnan in The Three Musketeers and an exhibition event of Great Britain and Hungarian Olympic fencers.

Jean-Marc has adjudicated at numerous festivals across the UK and overseas and enjoys providing encouraging feedback to performers of all ages specialising in Speech & Drama, Musical Theatre and Dance disciplines. He has adjudicated previously at The Watford Festival and is delighted to be returning.

KIM GILBERT originally trained as a professional actress at GSA and also later studied for an LGSM at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. She has a First-Class Honours degree in English Literature and Language Studies.

After acting professionally for many years in a range of TV, voiceover and theatre work, Kim has dedicated the past 35 years to teaching and directing plays and musical productions. Kim also examined for Lamda for a number of years and currently runs her own private drama studio which specialises in developing excellence in all forms of performance and communication skills. Kim has recently compiled and written a range of acting books suited for festival and audition work.

Kim is a strong supporter of the festival movement. She encourages students to participate at Speech & Drama Festivals as she believes performing at local Festivals provides a vital learning experience for young people whilst also giving them a supportive platform from which to perform.

VANESSA BUCKLEY,  in addition to being a passionate adjudicator, has been a performer herself from an early age. She runs her own school with students ranging from nursery to adults, teaching interviewing skills and working with people with speech difficulties, as well as speech, drama, music and dance. As a director and performer she has ‘trodden the boards’ in pantomime for 8 years. She has worked on a number of TV shows including ‘Hollyoaks’ and ‘Emmerdale’, and currently directs for the ‘Walk on Touring’ theatre company. She also promotes assemblies and workshops for schools on anti-bullying, and also runs courses on internet safeguarding, including speaking with politicians on the subject. She presents seminars at education shows, and was a presenter on Teachers TV.