Foundation Learning/SEND students performed a brilliantly fun, pun-filled Christmas panto, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ in the College’s Theatre last month. Lecturer, Keith Mellor said: “I am so proud of them all, they were all absolutely brilliant! We had so much fun in rehearsals and their commitment is always 100%. They seem to get better and better every year and the confidence shown by all the cast when performing in the packed theatre is incredible. The students really rise to the applause and appreciation shown by the audience.”
He continued: “A massive thanks must go to Peter McNally who is studying BTEC in Performing Arts. We needed someone to play ‘Dame Dolly’ and Peter stepped up to take the role. His confidence and professionalism on stage brought out the best in the cast, and what a fantastic Dame he was!”
The cast were once again fantastically supported by our BTEC Production Arts/Technical Theatre students with the show’s production, stage management, recordings and sound all managed by Theatre Production Manager, Ian Tyrell, and his crew of students.
The Foundation Learning/SEND students thoroughly enjoyed the experience:
Faye Servey (Jack) said: “It was awesome. We didn’t make any mistakes and the applause was really loud!”
Caitlin Wilkins (Lead dancer) said: “I loved the show…. We totally nailed it!!”
Kingston College Principal, John O’Shea, told the packed theatre that retiring Principal, Mike Tweedale, encouraged him to watch the Foundation Learning panto each Christmas, and he was not disappointed. In his thankyou to the students and staff at the end of the panto he said: “In my 30 years in FE this is the best show I have seen and I look forward to many others.”
