One of world theatre’s most respected and sought-after directors, Adrian Noble, found time in his busy schedule to give the keynote speech and present prizes at The Kingsley School A Level and GCSE Prize Giving evening at Royal Leamington Spa Town Hall.
The event was organised to recognise the achievements and celebrate the success of students who took A Level and GCSE exams this summer – including a group of girls who took GCSE maths a year early and all passed with grades A* or A.
Mr Noble took up the role of President of the Board of Governors at the independent girls’ school in Beauchamp Avenue last year and his two children attended Kingsley during the late 1990s when he was Artistic Director at The Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon - a position he held until 2003.
He told the audience of past and current students, parents, teachers and local dignitaries that The Kingsley School “is performing spectacularly” and added that “the quality of work done by young people these days is absolutely extraordinary”.
He spoke about how theatre and the arts have defined his life and recalled two “glancing encounters” with a school teacher and an optician who encouraged him as a young man to take an interest in literature and the theatre.
“Recognise enthusiasm not only in other people but in yourself. It creates energy which creates change. We need creative energy as a country. I encourage you all to become involved with the arts as it allows you to enter into worlds beyond your own experience,” he said.
Since leaving the RSC, Mr Noble who has received 20 Olivier Award nominations during his career, has directed productions all over the world. It has recently been announced that he will direct a stage version of The King’s Speech, which will open in the UK next year.
Pictured above: Mr Noble with (left to right) Head teacher Ms Heather Owens and Joint Chairs of the School Governing Body Mrs Alison Darling and Mrs Joan White.