Putney in the Limelight

Putney High School turned up the X factor this October as they welcomed back Oscar (and GDST Alumna of the Year 2016)  winner Jenny Beavan for the latest in their series of Careers Focus evening events.  The industry of Performing Arts was brought to life with talks from alumnae working in TV, Film and Theatre.

Keynote speaker Jenny Beavan (Class of 1968) thrilled pupils with stories and advice from her 30-year career in costume design. Jenny, who has been recognised not only as a worthy Oscar-winner but as GDST Alumna of the Year 2016, revealed details of her current project, Disney’s adaptation of the Nutcracker starring Morgan Freeman and Kiera Knightley. In preparation for the release in 2018, Jenny is covering actors in candyfloss and constructing real-life gingerbread men!  This was the first time Jenny had seen the Performing Arts Centre since its unveiling last November, and proclaimed it as ‘just brilliant’. The showbiz sparkle didn’t stop there. Putney students also heard from professional musicians, husband and wife duo Katy (Class of 2001) and Chris Hill, who shared the high notes of their careers. Nicola Seed (Class of 2004) and Georgie Davies (Class of 2011) gave an insight into the scaffolding of performing arts, sharing their perspective as producer and actor’s agent respectively.

Also present was up-and-coming actress, Sophie Simnett (Class of 2016) who features in Disney’s latest teen drama, ‘The Lodge’.  She will soon be on the big screen as Kate, Emilia Fox’s younger self in the film ‘Mum’s List’, which is set to release Friday 25 November 2016.