The college production of the Broadway musical “Carnival” was a fantastic success, performed over four evenings at the start of December.
Audiences were treated to some superb performances from the cast. Roles were taken by Melissa Silcock and David Bell, who played the optimistic orphan Lili who is visiting the Carnival “Cirque de Paris”, and Paul Berthalet the cynical puppeteer respectively. The Incomparable Rosalie (Charlotte Hughes), Marco the Magnificent Magician (Jake Worthington), the grumpy ringmaster of the carnival Schlegel (Daniel Pye), the sleazy souvenir peddler Grobert (Matthew Swords), and Paul’s caring friend Jacquot (Matthew Ashton) were among the cast of talented students from across the College. Not only did David and Matthew have the challenge of learning their own lines but had to learn those of the wonderful puppets, Carrot Top, Renardo, Horrible Henry and Marguerite.
The show featured many memorable songs, and performers were accompanied by a full live ensemble made up of Music students and some visiting performers from local High Schools. Students from the new BTEC Dance course at the College also performed spectacular dance routines choreographed themselves, with guidance from the Dance and Performing Arts Tutor, Rebecca McDonald.
The crew for lighting, props, and sound was made up of students too, acting with the efficiency of any professional theatre crew and guided along with the watchful eye of Head of Performing Arts, Michael Cook.
The show was once again directed and musically directed by Performing Arts and Music Tutor David Wall. He said: "This year's cast, band and crew worked like some of the professional casts I have worked with; their dedication, skill and maturity should be commended. They are a very talented group and deserved the wonderful show that was created by the end of the rehearsal process.
Click here to see more images of the production.