Vivienne has studied Speech and Drama since the age of four and has been teaching the subject since 1980.
She is Head of Speech and Drama at a large independent girls’ school in Bedford, and is also Principal of the Redford School of Speech and Drama,established in 1982 training children and adults of all ages in all the performing arts and communication. Many of her former students are now performing in TV, film and theatre around the world and in major West End productions, the Globe and RSC, and the National Theatre. Others are pursuing careers as teachers of Speech and Drama. Vivienne has produced and directed a diverse range of musicals and theatrical productions (including Mondial, Peter Pan, Antigone, the Dreaming by Howard Goodall, Blitz by Lionel Bart Hairspray, Skellig and the Chrysalids). She particular enjoys writing and devising original and creative theatre with her senior students. For the past eighteen years she has organized and directed a widely acclaimed summer school for students aged 7 to 21 which culminates in a commissioned play written and performed by the students who attend.
Vivienne is an examiner for the London Academy of Music and Drama and an adjudicator member of the British Federation of Festivals, travelling extensively throughout the UK ,Ireland and the Channel Islands. She is a former secretary and now Vice President of the Bedfordshire Festival of Music, Speech and Drama which has given her a clear understanding and insight into the work, energy and commitment that festival organisers, teachers and pupils put into making their Festival a success.
When not working (which is a rare occurrence) Vivienne enjoys seeing as much theatre as possible, reading children’s books and cooking and she relishes spending time with her family.