A young Richmondshire actress has won a prestigious award.
Sophie Montgomery, 17, from Aldbrough St John, has won the prestigious National Operatics and Dramatics Association’s (NODA) youth award for the North of England region.
Sophie, who attends Richmond School, accepted the accolade at a glittering ceremony hosted at the Gosforth Park Brittania Hotel.
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Sophie won the award for her interpretation of Eliza Doolittle, the lead role in Richmond Operatic Society’s (ROS) 2018 production of My Fair Lady.
This was Sophie’s first performance with the society and, unbeknown to Sophie, a judge from NODA was in the audience and nominated her for the award.
As he revealed the winner, Gordon Richardson, NODA councillor and judge said: “Eliza Doolittle, in My Fair Lady, is a demanding role, even for an adult.
“The person pulled it off with style.
“My winner is a role that demands a person to master the vocals required to do it justice, as well as transform their characterisation throughout the production.”
He added: “There was only going to be one winner when I saw that performance.”
Sophie had already made her mark on the performing arts’ arena in Richmondshire.
Only six months before her award-winning role as Eliza she performed in front of sell-out audiences, taking the lead role as the narrator in Richmond School’s run of Joseph And His Technicolour Dreamcoat.
She is studying A-levels in music, drama and English literature
In addition to her vocal ability, Sophie also plays the viol, guitar and piano.
Ian Henderson, head of creative arts at Richmond School and Sixth Form College, said: “We are really proud of Sophie’s achievement.
“We have enjoyed watching Sophie develop from a young year 7 to an extremely talented and confident sixth form student, and it is testament to her drive and determination to succeed within her chosen field.
“She is an extremely versatile performer and works across a number of genres within the creative arts.”
