It was with great pride that Jane Thomas, Media and Film teacher (Film Production / enrichment tutor) took a group of Farnborough students to film local charity The Starburst Foundation’s panto ‘Rapunzel’ just before the Christmas break.

Not only were current students Alan Marshall, Stephen Clifford, Jonathan Gaspar and Jessica Martin giving up their evenings and weekend to help the charity but they also did an outstanding job filming a live event, coordinating a three camera shoot after attending rehearsals and pouring over the script to ensure every dance routine and slapstick joke was captured professionally.

In addition, many other past and current Farnborough students gave their all both on and off stage including: Eleanor Butcher as a principal vocalist and understudy, Libby Brewer as the very funny King Jack, Sarah Johns as principal dance captain and ensemble dance captain, Charlie Murray as both a principal vocalist and dancer, Pippa Dykes in the adult ensemble.  To cap it off, past Farnborough student Tim Bradgate was lighting assistant and Isabella Lewis was vocal coach.  And as if that wasn’t impressive enough the outstanding show was directed by past Farnborough student Ricky Cale, whilst Hannah Norman, another past student, both produced and played the villainous Mother Gothal.

Jane Thomas said, “It was just amazing to see so many current and past Farnborough students working on such an impressive production. I was very proud as a teacher to see so many of our talented young people giving their all to raise money for charity.”

Media and Film students Alan Marshall and Stephen Clifford are currently editing the panto footage to showcase the outstanding talent involved.  Click here to watch a one minute excerpt.

Jane Thomas was especially pleased when Starburst’s Theatre Manager Shaun Garrett contacted her to commission a short promotional video for social media to begin the online awareness campaign for Starburst’s Fleet panto this year.

Students Alan Marshall and Stephen Clifford quickly got to work to produce an excellent one minute promo which will be used on the Foundation’s webpage and social media. 

The Media and Film department hope to continuing working with Starburst on their next Christmas production ‘Snow White’ whilst also making other promotional pieces for the charity.