Talented students shine as they showcase music and Cabaret on professional stage

Performing Arts and Music students from Ardleigh Green Campus took up a two-day residency at a professional theatre to showcase their talents to the community.

It was a full house as Music students brought their fantastic singing and instrumental talents to The Other Stage in the foyer at the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, with their Escape from New City gig. The following evening Performing Arts students put on a wonderful immersive Cabaret piece, The Lollipop Lounge, complete with comedy, costumes, courage and confidence!

The Lollipop Lounge was an evening full of laughter and high jinks where the only rule was to feel and have fun! The performers interacted with the audience as they enjoyed Mezze food boards and drinks – taking them into a world of dreamers and rebels where the comedy, dance and music transported them to the indulgent atmosphere of the Cabaret clubs of Paris in the early 1900s.

The music gig involved a mix of live student bands recreating classic tunes from the 70s and 80s, which were greatly appreciated by the packed audience. The singers and musicians were supported by trainee lighting and sound technicians from NCC.

Claire Marsh, Performing Arts lecturer at NCC Ardleigh Green campus said the two performances were the latest in many fantastic opportunities that were on offer to students since the formation of a Performing Arts Academy at New City College.

Also the strong partnership created between the college and the Queen’s Theatre, had really added value to the course and enabled students to gain experience within a professional theatre setting many times during their time at NCC.

Student Cameron Dandridge, who played the quirky Emcee in the Lollipop Lounge, said the partnership was one of the outstanding benefits of studying Performing Arts at New City College.

He said: “The Cabaret performance was great fun and this partnership with the Queen’s has given us so many exciting opportunities where we have been able to do shows on a real stage and work with professionals.

“I had a week’s work placement in the theatre where I was shown all the different roles, such as lighting, sound, staging and many other technical aspects that I hadn’t realised existed. It really prepared me for working in the industry once I finish my course.

“The experience we are getting is so good – we have regular professional workshops such as puppetry, physical theatre, stage make-up and visual effects, which have opened our eyes to the different pathways once we leave college, and we have audition prep coming up to make sure we are well prepared.

“I’m loving the environment here and the tutors are really supportive and helpful in so many ways. When I first started I wasn’t confident in my ability – but I’ve grown so much with all the training and developed throughout the programme – I’m now ready for the next step.”

Are you a performer who wants to be part of an Academy and have the opportunity to step on stage at a professional theatre? Don’t delay – apply today to New City College!