First year, BTEC Performing Arts students showcased their Musical Theatre skills, in The Prospect Theatre, on Thursday 28th April, concluding their final assessments for the first year of the course.

The show provided an eclectic mix of musical numbers from 'Our House', 'Chicago', 'Matilda' and a few feline numbers from 'Cats'.  Large scale ensemble numbers were dispersed with stunning solo and duet numbers to create a vibrant and diverse performance.

It was an energetic and colourful night of pure passion and energy, presented by our dedicated students, who demonstrated three core disciplines of movement, acting and singing.   Their performances were inspired by their trip to see the newly adapted musical Hetty Feather, at Kingston's Rose Theatre. The 50 strong cast of students danced and sang with such commitment and passion, it was exciting and impressive to witness the progress they had made throughout this year.

Curriculum Manager for BTEC Performing Arts, Emily Southwell, said, “It has been a real pleasure to work with such a determined and focused group of students.  They should be very proud of themselves and certainly did our department and the College proud.  Definitely a show to remember.”

Senior Curriculum Manager and Director of Faculty, Matt Sheppard, added "these young starlets delivered stunningly visual takes on these classics.  It’s a shame to choose a few standouts from an impressive ensemble cast who all played their part but Tom Chapple and Joy Darmanin delivered a superb rendition of the mischievous Mungojerrie and Rumpleteazer from 'Cats', the sublime Jemima Eaton delicately handling the powerhouse 'Memory' from the same musical and finally Olivia Woodham, rivalling Catherine Zeta-Jones, in a brilliant, tour de force version of 'I Can't Do It Alone' from Fosse and Ebb's 'Chicago'.  A credit to the College in a bravura, full company evening of song and dance! I can't wait for Year Two."

Students who took part added their thoughts:

Sophie Haywood said, "The whole process was really enjoyable and I feel I had an opportunity to put my own ideas into the piece." 

Sami Harley-Mosafa added, "The performance was smashing, all the hard work and effort put into rehearsals was really reflected in the show.  I’m honoured to say I was involved in this piece with my peers, whom I would now call my close friends."

Olivia Woodham said “I have loved Performing Arts this year, I would recommend it to anyone interested in performing. The learning environment is so supportive and offers transferable skills of working professionally as part of team.”