Future star impresses at Sydney Eisteddfod

Talented youngster Joshua Arnold did superbly well in the speech and drama sections of the Sydney Eistedfod.

The Goulburn resident won the prose (11-12years) and verse (12 years) speaking section and came third in the character and monologue (12 years)and public speaking section (12 years).

He was also placed third in the Sydney Eisteddfod Actor’s Championship for the 12 to 14 age group. 

His mother Natalie Albury was not surprised at the amount of success he has had due to grit and determination.

“He spends a lot of time, but there's a lot of hard work that goes into it as well,” Ms Albury said.

“He has put in so many hours to learn the lines for a nine minute continuous performance.”

The 12 year old started performing at a young age and decided to compete in Eisteddfods throughout NSW due to encouraging feedback from one of his teachers.

“He started performing in the Goulburn Eistedford in kindergarten,” she said.

“I knew he was gifted because his technique teacher was very encouraging and said that he showed some promise.”

His technique teacher was not wrong as the judge of his performances was full of compliments.

The judge was extremely impressed with his rapport with the audience and terrific expressive skills.

Ms Albury said competing in acting competitions was all his idea and she is just there to support him.

“His love of acting developed within the last three to four years when doing drama and monologue drama at the Goulburn conservatorium,” she said.

“He also holds a speech and drama scholarship there.”

The proud mother recalled a funny incident back when he was very young.

“When he was a little kid, he jumped up on the Gunning stage and sort of just sang a song,” she said.

Mr Arnold will compete at the Canberra Eisteddfod on September 8 and at the Goulburn Eisteddfod at the end of September.