MEET THE TEAM...
Laura Corradi Loughran
CHAIR / SPEECH & DRAMA & MUSICAL THEATRE SECRETARY
Laura trained at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, graduating in 2007 with a first-class Honours degree. Laura entered the industry as a performer and has since, alongside acting, developed her other passion of writing and producing new work which she does as Artistic Director of ‘A Handful of Keys Theatre Company.’ In 2019 she graduated from Liverpool's John Moores University with a Distinction in the MA Musical Theatre course, where she was awarded The Lynda La Plant Prize Fund for Outstanding Practice, and a GoGlobal Scholarship to carryout research in Budapest and Krakow for a new musical VALI. In 2021 Laura completed a PGCert with Distinction in Performance teaching from Guildhall School of Music and Drama where she was also a recipient of an ELQ tuition scholarship.
Previous performance credits include: 'The Show Must Go On - The Musical Theatre Story' (UK Tour), 'For Heart's Sake' (Egg Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath), 'Difficult People' (kinloss), 'Sound of Silence' (Regents Park Open Air Theatre Gardens), ‘Dry Rot’ (UK Tour), 'A Wife in Art' and 'Waking Opportunity' (Brewhouse Theatre and Arts Centre), 'Dracula' (Regional Tour), 'Side by Side by Sondheim' (Bristol Hippodrome Lounge), 'Danny The Champion of the World' (Brewery Arts Centre), ‘A Handful of Songs’ (Leicester Square Theatre West End), 'Side By Side By Sondheim' (Bristol Hippodrome), 'Photo Me' (Riverside Studios), Aesop’s Fables Retold (Windsor Globe), 'Ain't Misbehavin' (UK Tour and Cast Album), ‘Home’ (Theatro Technis Theatre), and workshopping 'The Flint Street Nativity Play' with Tim Firth (Liverpool Playhouse).
As a vocalist Laura has performed in a variety of events across the UK. Credits include: 2013 Olivier Awards supporting Will Young (Royal Opera House, ITV and BBC Radio 2), HRH The Prince of Wales Investing in Young Futures Charity Gala Dinner (The Savoy Hotel), Cardiff Singer of the World Commercial (BBC 1 & BBC 2 Wales), ‘Moonriver’ recording (BBC Radio) and LIPA’s 10th Anniversary Gala (Liverpool’s Royal Philharmonic Hall).
Laura is also a passionate teacher, having taught alongside her performance work both as a private Vocal and Acting coach. Laura currently teaches at 344 Dance School in Bristol directing Musical Theatre Shows, running Summer and Easter schools, as well as private coaching towards LAMDA, LCM and Trinity examinations.
Laura also serves as an adjudicator, most recently for the Rose Bowl Awards, adjudicating amateur production companies across the South West.
MATTHEW
LOUGHRAN
Matthew is a Musical Director, composer, pianist and arranger working in London and around the UK. Matthew has worked for leading production houses since graduating in 2007 from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, and alongside his work as a conductor and musical director, has been developing works as a composer from incidental music in touring plays to works for pantomime and full scale musical productions.
Matthew has recently been musical director for 'Elf- The Musical' at the Aldwych Theatre in London, and associate for Jamie Lloyd’s ‘EVITA’ at the London Palladium starring Rachel Zegler. He’s also recently been in Taipei and Tokyo for many sold out concerts of ‘Bradley Jaden: LIVE’ Previous to this Matthew was the Musical Director and conductor for the UK Tour of 'Wicked', 'Les Miserables' at the newly renovated Sondheim Theatre in London's West End, 'Les Miserables: The All-Star Concert', Musical Supervisor 'Wizard Of Oz' for RCL, Associate for 'Stephen Sondheims: Old Friends' The televised concert. Previous credits continue as: Musical Director for: 'Phantom of the Opera', Miss Saigon (UK & International tour), Les Miserables (Associate Conductor West End), Evita (UK & International tour), The Commitments (UK tour), Priscilla Queen of the Desert (UK & International Tour) Ain't Misbehavin' & The Concert They Never Gave (UK tours), Edges & Rent (London). As Associate Musical Director: Sister Act (UK Tour), Jekyll & Hyde (UK Tour), Whistle Down The Wind (UK & International Tour), Cabaret (UK Tour). As a pianist and/or rehearsal MD: Les Miserables, Top Hat & Singin' In The Rain (London's West End), Dancing In The Streets (London), Scrooge (UK Tour) & Doctor Doolitle (UK Tour). Matthew has also worked as Musical Supervisor and Arranger on P&O World Cruises, working with the theatre companies on the ships Aurora and Oriana.
As an arranger and orchestrator his work includes: Help The Hero's (West End), Love Beyond (Wembley Arena), Jekyll & Hyde (UK Tour), Evita (UK Tour), Dreamboats & Petticoats (West End & UK Tours), Rock n Roll Heaven (UK Tour), Annie (Hong Kong & Singapore).
As a composer works include the incidental music for the play 'Cissie & Ada' (UK Tour), various pantomimes across the UK, co-composer for workshops of 'Golden Balls' in London. Matthew is currently working on a new musical VALI with Laura, a musical based on the life of famed Hungarian star Vali Racz.
As a lecturer, teacher and practitioner Matthew has worked with LAMDA, RAM, Urdang, Mountview and GSA. He regularly leads workshops in singing, acting through song, conducting and composing throughout the UK. He’s also been invited to Hong Kong to teach a West End Masterclass, and improvisation and arranging to budding new musicians.
VICE- CHAIR / TREASURER / VOCAL SECRETARY
TAM
WALTON
GENERAL SECRETARY / DANCE SECRETARY
Tam trained at the Cecchetti based Harlow Ballet School where she was involved in performances of major ballets every year as well as entering choreographic competitions twice a year. This is where her love of choreography started and developed to include scenes such as; the Mice and Arabian in The Nutcracker and an original opening for the overture of The Sleeping Beauty. Major roles danced during this time include; Bathilde and Zulme in Giselle, Carabose and Princess Florine in The Sleeping Beauty, The Broom in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and Alice in Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Tam also had a new work choreographed for her called Seascape. Alongside her dance work, Tam also trained in the technical side of theatre; specialising in Lighting Design.
Tam went on to study Choreography with Visual Arts Practices at Dartington College of Arts, graduating in 2007. Alongside her studies Tam was heavily involved with the Student Union, holding the following positions; Charities Officer, Vice President (2 years) and went on to be elected as Student Union President. During this time, she also worked in the Sound and Vision department; working on many of her fellow students performances.
After moving to Bristol in 2010 Tam started dancing at 344 Dance School and quickly decided to start training for her DDEs in Imperial Ballet and Modern Theatre Dance Teaching. She has now been teaching for the school for over 12 years- running classes in Ballet, Contemporary, Modern, Tap, Jazz and Choreography, as well as running the schools Competition Performance Team for 10 years. During her time with the school Tam has choreographed numerous new dance works culminating in a brand new one-act dance called The Shared Prophecy in 2025 and also winning the Bristol Eisteddfod’s Choreography Trophy. Tam also performed at the London 2012 Olympics Closing Ceremony.
Tam has also worked in the public and civil sectors as an administrator so has proudly taken on the additional role of General Secretary, alongside Dance Secretary for this Festival.
HISTORY OF THE FESTIVAL...
A Brief History of Longwell Green Eisteddfod
After the Second World War, the Longwell Green community decided that they needed to re-create the pre-war community spirit. So, after fund raising, various activities were arranged.
In 1947, Mrs Kath Hook and some of her friends organised and ran an Eisteddfod. It was based on the traditional Welsh Eisteddfod but it was to be a one day only event. In this instance it was held on Sunday and local people were invited to a day of music, singing, dance, speech and drama. It was held in a nearby temporary hut. This was to be the start of the Longwell Green Eisteddfod.
It proved a success and continued to grow until 1975 when Kath decided that a committee was needed to run the ever-growing numbers of competitors entering the Eisteddfod. Four secretaries were appointed and each one was invited to be responsible for one area of activity. At the same time, a treasurer was appointed to manage the financial affairs.
Since that time, the population of Longwell Green has increased significantly. The Eisteddfod has followed this growth trend and in 2018 classes ran for a full week, at times needing to use two rooms in the Community Centre.
2019 saw the merger between Longwell Green Eisteddfod and Kingswood Eisteddfod.
Our thanks go to Margaret Molton for contributing this history.
A Brief History of Kingswood Eisteddfod
Kingswood Eisteddfod started in 1943 and took place in various Halls in Kingswood and nearby Staple Hill. In the 1963 programme that we have in our archives, it shows that the Vocal section was the largest section taking 6 days ( 2 adjudicators on each day), followed by Music (Piano and Instrumental) taking 4 days, then Dance for 2 days and Speech and Drama for 1 day. The days were long in most sections as they ran from 9.00 in the morning until 9.00 at night. Over the years Dance increased and became the largest section.
Unfortunately over the last 5 years, due to lack of volunteers we were unable to find people to run the Vocal and Music sections. We carried on with the Dance and Speech and Drama sections for 3 years, then due to a problem with our venue we were unable to hold either section any more. After several weeks trying to find another suitable venue, we took the decision to disband and fortunately we have now been able to amalgamate with Longwell Green Eisteddfod, and become the Longwell Green and Kingswood Performing Arts Festival, so both names are still there.
Our thanks go to Rosemary Powell for contributing this history.