Vivienne has studied Speech and Drama since the age of four and hasbeen teaching the subject since 1980.
She is Head of Speech and Drama at a large independent girls’ school inBedford, and is also Principal of the Redford School of Speech and Drama,established in 1982 training children and adults of all ages in all theperforming arts and communication. Many of her former students are nowperforming in TV, film and theatre around the world and in major West Endproductions, the Globe and RSC, and the National Theatre. Others are pursuingcareers as teachers of Speech and Drama. Vivienne has produced and directed adiverse range of musicals and theatrical productions (including Mondial, PeterPan, Antigone, the Dreaming by Howard Goodall, Blitz by Lionel Bart Hairspray,Skellig and the Chrysalids). She particular enjoys writing and devisingoriginal and creative theatre with her senior students. For the pasteighteen years she has organized and directed a widely acclaimed summer schoolfor students aged 7 to 21 which culminates in a commissioned play written andperformed by the students who attend.
Vivienne is an examiner for the London Academy of Music and Drama and anadjudicator member of the British Federation of Festivals, travellingextensively throughout the UK ,Ireland and the Channel Islands. She is aformer secretary and now Vice President of the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speechand Drama which has given her a clear understanding and insight intothe work, energy and commitment that festival organisers, teachers and pupilsput into making their Festival a success.
When not working (which is a rare occurrence) Vivienne enjoys seeing asmuch theatre as possible, reading children’s books and cooking and she relishesspending time with her family.