Review by Dina Shaw
To mark the start of the 2008 season, the Performing Arts department at Stoke on Trent College kicked off with a cracking piece of musical theatre.
The show was written and directed by Performing Arts lecturer Martin Alcock a former professional actor, having worked in both theatre and television. He explained how the project came about:
"We found ourselves in urgent need of a musical with an all female cast, there aren't too many of those about, so in the end we decided to write a show around the performers that we had, using existing songs. The students were able to contribute to the script and even chose the names of their characters".
The story is a back stage drama of dreams and ambitions. A group of 14 eager applicants are auditioning for a show and reveal some of the issues that affect their lives such as bullying, rejection, boyfriend problems, wanting to leave home and lack of parental support for their desire to go on the stage. It is the arduous job of the Director, Roz, brilliantly played by Laura Lyth and her Choreographer, Paula, played by Steph Byatt to decide who will be given a part and who will be rejected.
The songs were excellent and the performers gave really remarkable performances, their singing lecturer, Sue McAllister did a great job as did the choreographers, Nicky Evans and Emily Bower. The dance routines were energetic and a rival to any chorus line.
The performers were all National Diploma level 2 , Performing Arts students who will have completed their course this summer and hope to go on to University or start to work.
Kirsten McGregor, 18, from Tunstall, plans to work her way up in the media, her ambition is to go into T.V. as a children's presenter. Lisa Cole, 18 from Weston Coyney, has been recalled for a second interview at the London School of Music together with her older sister who has already got a degree in Performing Arts. Lisa said: "I am so thrilled, Mum wants us both to get in, but I am not sure that I could stand working with my sister for the next three years".
Laura Lyth, who played the harassed director Roz said:
"I had quite a good part in last years production of Can't Pay, Won't Pay, but this is a more challenging role." Laura will be studying Theatre and Performance at Plymouth University in September.
The performance took place in an all-new purpose built staging environment at Venue 4 on the College's Burslem campus. The audience sits on two sloping banks of seats with the performers in between. Technical Co-Ordinator for the show and course tutor, Simon Wain said: "We wanted to present this year's performances and concerts in an environment that was exciting and challenging for both audience and performers. The big difference with the arena/traverse space is that, not only are the audience closer to the performers but they are also surrounded by walkways and entrances in unexpected places- this means that, potentially, the performers could pop up anywhere!"
For information on tickets/ performance times, phone the Box Office on 01782 603138
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