Mr Conway INVESTIGATES
Bridge roving reporter 
Mr Conway, notepad and pen 
in hand, has used his journalistic 
skills to investigate the 
amazing career of school 
LAMDA teacher
Mrs Reynolds
Thank you for making the time to be 
interviewed Mrs Reynolds. Many students 
over the years have benefitted from LAMDA 
lessons at HGS. How did you get involved in 
LAMDA and drama work in schools?
I took my LAMDA exams when I was doing my 
A-levels, I did the higher grades and I enjoyed 
them very much. Early on in my career, I got 
the opportunity to teach Drama and Circus 
skills workshops in schools, I really enjoy these 
workshops and find them immensely rewarding. 
Can you share with our readers your 
experience of teaching at Handsworth 
Grammar School? Can you describe to us 
something about the road which brought you 
to HGS? 
When the opportunity came up to be a LAMDA 
teacher at Handsworth, I thought it would be a 
great opportunity to share my passion for Speech 
and Drama skills. I came into the school for a 
meeting with the Head teacher Mr Bird and the 
previous LAMDA teacher, Mike Venables, thankfully 
I was successful and I have loved it ever since.
There are many things that I like about teaching at 
Handsworth Grammar School, the students, the 
staff, and I particularly like the community that this 
School has, as a Peripatetic Speech and Drama 
teacher, I feel very welcome here. 
Can you tell us about your acting career? Have 
you played any role on stage or screen which 
you particularly enjoyed? 
I have been working as a professional actor for over 
29 years! I have enjoyed all of my roles for different 
reasons, I have had a huge variety of work ranging 
from working as a Story Teller for Brian Cant at 
Legoland, being part of childrens theatre show for 
the BBC touring the UK and Australia to walking on 
stilts as a 14ft butterfly for CBeebies, with lots of 
interesting jobs along the way.
Why do you think drama is a vital part of the 
curriculum? What are the benefits for those 
who study the subject?
I am a huge advocate for Drama, it is vital to 
the curriculum because of the skills it can offer: 
communication skills, problem solving, working as 
a team and of course, the creativity that can come 
from exploring Drama and theatre skills. 
Do you have a favourite actor? If there was 
one film / tv programme everyone should see, 
what would you say it is?
One of my favourite actors is Emma Thompson, I 
love everything she does. There are so many good 
films and tv programmes out there! One of my 
all time favourite TV series is Frasier, the writing 
and acting is superb, makes me laugh everytime I 
watch an episode. 
Is there a message about the performing arts 
which you would like to share with all students 
at Handsworth Grammar School?
I would say, when it comes to performing arts (and 
life) give everything a go as you never know, you 
might just love it!
Thank you for the interview Mrs Reynolds. And 
thank you for all your hard work at Handsworth 
Grammar School.
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