Performing & Production Arts students from Stratford-upon-Avon College have taken audiences back to the 80s with their raw, unflinching final project.
Second year students from the Acting and Backstage Production Arts courses presented Road by Jim Cartwright. A gritty look at the lives of residents who live on the road, the students held nothing back as they explored the highest of highs and the lowest of lows the characters had to offer.
Set over the course of one night on a rundown northern street, and guided by the enigmatic narrator Scullery, audiences are taken on a journey through a community shaped by hardship, humour, resilience and fleeting moments of hope. Through a series of interconnected scenes, the characters reveal their struggle, dreams and relationships, painting a vivid portrait of working-class life in 1980s Britain.
Students are given real creative freedom for their final major projects and chose to challenge themselves with an incredibly deep and dramatic performance. And they did not disappoint.
Jumping expertly between multiple characters, the actors showcased a range of humorous and moving scenes. Jack Hobson showed hilarious rage as the owner of a chip shop but also heartbreakingly sincere as Jerry, an old, nostalgic resident on the road.
Bethany Oliver-Hall went from intense manic as Skinlad to incredible gentleness as Clare, a young lover who goes on hunger strike. Her scenes with Emerson Fairclough as her partner Joey were incredibly moving and brought up deep and meaningful ideas.
Hannah Burke and Thea Jones showed great skill by jumping from rough and ready raucous girls on a night out, to sincere sweetness in a moment. Beautiful to watch. And there must be mention of Visa Hicks who brought to life the great gyrating granny!
Check out some photos from the show!
The entire cast were superb to behold, and the show was made complete by the technical talent of the crew. Cas Stay as Stage Manager, Harry Bradley as Lighting Designer & Sound Operator, Jensen Dance as Head of Lighting and Emilia Hill as Head of Set & Props made the show look and sound incredible.
And as the performance ended with the key line ‘Somehow, a somehow we might escape’ capturing the characters’ hope for a better future, these students will surely have an incredible future ahead of them!
