Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Bonnie Langford at school’s Oscars-style awards ceremony
EastEnders star Bonnie Langford took time out from filming to present a series of Oscar-style awards to young actors.
The TV celebrity, who is currently appearing in the hit BBC1 soap as Carmel Kazemi, was guest of honour at a glittering ceremony at The Canterbury Academy.
Among those awarded was 17- year- old Jack Jenkins, who has appeared in the BBC’s dramatisation of David Walliams’ The Boy in the Dress, which aired at Christmas.
Jack was given a CHoscar gong for best male performance in a musical for his role as Lord Farquaad in the academy’s production of Shrek the Musical.
The red carpet was rolled out for the actress on Tuesday despite her 6am start on the Elstree set in Herts.
Tony Greenlaw, the academy’s director of performing arts, said: “Bonnie said she was almost jealous of the fantastic opportunities that academy pupils had in performing arts and noticed how passionate the teachers were about the business and the high standard of achievement here.”
With awards covering drama, musical theatre, dance, music and extending across to art, textiles, design technology, food technology and media, more than 35 gongs were handed out to talented youngsters.
Another rising Canterbury Academy star was Emily Woodbridge, 18, who played the part of Fantine in Les Miserables at the Gulbenkian and has also appeared Bonnie with Director of Perfoming Arts Tony Greenlaw in Made in Chelsea. Emily was named best female performer in a musical.
The roll call of honour also included sixth form dance performer of the year, Jadine Long 17, who had impressed judges with her performances for Cascade Dance at the Brighton Fringe Festival, as well as composer of the year Charlotte Owen, 16.
Mr Greenlaw added: “The Canterbury Academy CHoscars was a glittering occasion made all the better because the incredible Bonnie came to present our awards.
“There is a wealth of talent at the academy and so many of our students have what it takes to develop great careers in the performing arts and creative industries. They thoroughly deserve their awards and success in their future careers.”
Phil Karnavas, the academy’s executive principal, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many Canterbury Academy pupils demonstrating such talent.
“With Charlie George and his band Only The Young just signing a record deal with Warner Music after their X Factor appearance the sky is the limit for our pupils and it’s no wonder we are attracting applicants from across the county, including from grammar schools.”