Trinity 2009
Examiner in Drama and Speech Subjects
GWYNETH POWELL
Gwyneth was born in Manchester and trained as a teacher at Goldsmiths’ College, University of London. After qualifying she abandoned teaching for the stage, and spent the next three years at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing and the Bristol Old Vic. Amongst the many parts played during this period were Queen Victoria in Portrait of a Queen, Jo in A Taste of Honey, Lady Teazle in The School for Scandal, Hortense in The Boyfriend, Maggie Hobson in Hob’s Choice, and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth.
On leaving Bristol, Gwyneth was offered her first starring role on television in the London Weekend T.V cult series, The Guardians. She has worked consistently in television since in programmes such as Holby City, Doctors, Emmerdale, Heatbeat, The Royal, Family Affairs, Down to Earth, A Touch of Frost. Most recent appearances have been in ITV’s exciting new dual dramas, Moving Wall Paper and Echo Beach, along side Ben Miller, Jason Donovan and Martine McCutcheon. However, she will forever be best known as Mrs. McClusky, the headmistress in BBC TV’s multi award winning Grange Hill. A part she played for eleven years.
Most recent stage appearances have been as Emma Hornett on a National tour of Philip King’s Sailor Beware, Mrs. Gascoigne in Watford Palace Theatre’s production of D. H Lawrence’s The Daughter-in-Law, Betty in A Passionate Woman, at the Northcott theatre, and Belladonna in Snow White at Buxton Opera House.
Gwyneth has toured the British Isles in her own stage adaptations of three of The Provincial Lady books by E.M Delafield, has written two plays for Radio 4’s Afternoon Theatre. Works regularly in radio, most recently Tortoise by Jack Rosenthal, directed by Maureen Lipman, and three part adaptation of The Ragged Trouser Philanthropists, with Johnny Vegas, with whom she also stared in the Sony Award Winning series, Night Class.
Feature films have included Piccadilly Cowboy, The Fence, Return to the Secret Garden, A kind of Hush, Loophole and The Face of Darkness. As a director, Gwyneth has directed Lettice and Lovage for the Northcott Theatre, Exeter, Peter Pan for Connaught Theatre, Worthing, and Duet for One for the Cygnet Company. She spent six years on the board of Connaught Theatre, and three years as a Governor of Northbrook College, West Sussex. She currently serves on two panels for Trinity College, London.
What Is Trinity?
Trinity College, London, England is the world's oldest external examination board and operates in 50 countries world wide. The exams are recognized by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) in Great Britain and successful candidates may apply for international credits.
The Ottawa School of Speech and Drama has a long history of being the only training facility in the region to offer examinations through Trinity. Trinity offers a syllabus with clear guidelines in a wide range of programs including speech and drama, musical theatre, Shakespeare and acting. It has long been recognized as a program that stimulates learning and achievement in the fields of literacy and communication.
The aim of grade examinations is to provide an assessment to students that they, their parents and teachers can use to measure progress and development while giving students a strong sense of accomplishment as they move through grade levels. Each student receives a written adjudication, a mark based on specific parameters and a diploma for each grade passed.
Trinity College Affiliation
AFFILIATION WITH TRINITY COLLEGE, ENGLAND
The Ottawa School of Speech & Drama is the area representative for Trinity Guildhall, London. Through affiliation with Trinity, our students have access to a curriculum and accreditation that is recognized in over 50 countries world wide. Exams with an accredited examiner from England take place annually in May. For more information about Trinity please call the office or visit Trinity's web site at www.trinitycollege.co.uk