26 February 2025
Gillian Farr, FISTD, is a Senior Examiner across three Faculties and has served on many committees for and representing the ISTD over the years.
At the age of 11, Gillian was awarded a scholarship to attend Arts Educational School and continued her vocational training at Bush Davies, where she remains ever grateful to have been tutored and mentored by the revered icon, Daphne Peterson.
She was Principal at her own school for 35 years which has gone on to become Performers College, after which her additional teaching posts were by invitation to Bush Davies and Bird College.
Gillian entered the first ever Janet Cram Award in 1966 and later was requested by the Modern Theatre committee to teach the Cram classes herself, which continued for a further three years and additionally teaching at the first Northern Cram Heat. Gillian continues to enjoy the ‘journey of dance ‘, through her granddaughter Sofia, and with her examining, and was delighted to come full circle and join the team of adjudicators at our 2024 Cram Finals!
(Lyn Richardson and Gillian Farr. Photo: Hudson Pictures)
A personal thank you from Gillian Farr
It was this time last year; I received an invitation to form part of the panel of adjudicators for the finals of the Janet Cram Award. Thinking back, this could well have been to create an occasion for me to receive the much treasured, Muriel Ashcroft Award, which until now I have not written to say “Thank You” to those who nominated me.
I would like to say how very fortunate I have been through my own journey of dance. To have received my training by the masters of their art, the exceptional Daphne Peterson and Joyce Percy, additionally, as a very young examiner, I had the incredible support, advice and guidance from the infamous Muriel Ashcroft whose award I now hold.
In my days of examining, I am privileged to have seen some very talented young dancers and come to meet their respective teachers and am always so uplifted when parents place their children’s dance training in the hands of those teachers, who are, the best of the best, and a fine example of this is seen at the renowned Janet Cram Awards.
As Examiners and Adjudicators, we are quite a small family, so to have been surrounded by their friendship, and to be spending my life from a very young age, doing something I love, has not in any way seemed like work.
The true example of that friendship and loyalty, being the very revered Paddy Hurlings and Lyn Richardson who both wished to be with me at last year's Janet Cram Awards to present me with this award, a very treasured moment for me!
(Adjudicators: Lukas Hunt, Gillian Farr and Andrew Wilson with
Junior Cram Winner: Lucia Thomas. Photo: Hudson Pictures)
Some 15 years ago, to fulfil one of my husband’s lifelong dreams and to raise funds for The ISTD Dance Teachers Benevolent Fund, we sailed round the world on his 45ft Catamaran ‘Spirit of Nina‘ and yes, we were attacked by pirates in the Indian Ocean.
As we made our transit through the Panama Canal, there is a camera transmitting worldwide. To make sure ALL would recognise our yacht, I had said to my fellow ISTD friends I would wear canary yellow capri trews, a bright pink T Shirt and I would dance on the fore deck - a demi contretemps and assemble over for my fellow Ballet Examiners, a jazz pas de bourree and an elevated side kick for the Modern Examiners and for the Tap Examiners, a double break turning! I had pledged to dance this every day, through gales, storms, and baking sun, which you could say was hard work.
Well now, I am lucky enough to enjoy the start of yet another exciting journey of dance with my granddaughter Sofia, and yes, I am a very proud Nana.
So, I wish to say with all sincerity, “thank you” to everyone who has been part of my incredible journey of dance within the family of the ISTD.
- Written by Gillian Farr
What is the Muriel Ashcroft Award?
The Muriel Ashcroft Award is in recognition of service, commitment and creative endeavours to the Modern Theatre Faculty
Muriel Ashcroft (Mrs A) was the Chair of our Modern Theatre Faculty from 1974-1998 and a recipient of the Society’s Imperial Award for Outstanding Service to the ISTD. Mrs A was a tour de force and ahead of her time with her innovative ideas, creating and developing the Modern Theatre syllabus, alongside such icons as Doreen Bird, Daphne Peterson, Patricia Crail, and Betty Laine.
She inspired generations, whilst travelling the UK and the globe, delivering courses and exam sessions and was instrumental in mentoring teachers, examiners, and dancers of all ages, encouraging them in all aspects of the ISTD and Modern Theatre from its American influences and Theatrical dance styles.
After Mrs A passed away in 2012 at the grand age of 100, and the Modern Theatre Faculty received a beautiful silver salver from the Ashcroft family in which to honour current Modern Theatre Faculty members in recognition of their service, loyalty, and in particular creative endeavours.
This award reflects Mrs A’s substantial commitment, inspiration, and legacy to the Society and especially to our Modern Theatre Faculty.
Previous recipients of the Muriel Ashcroft Award:
2013 – Paddy Hurlings
2015 – Christina Ballard
2018 – Tereza Theodoulou and Katie Morea
2022 – Lyn Richardson
2023 – Cathy Stevens and Jackie Barnes
2024 – Gillian Farr
