Youngsters take control of new show

THE cast, left to right, back: Katie Seddon, Danny Goodwin, Megan Makin. Middle: Ethan Curly, Emma Bradbury, Imogen Sleith, Lucy Spratt. Front: Calum Ford.

STUDENTS will perform their production of Bedbug at The Lowry Theatre on Friday.

The move to the theatre in Salford Quays comes following the success the Blue Coat Senior Drama Group from The Blue Coat School in Oldham had with their production at this year’s National Theatre Connections 500 play – which aims to give young people experience of professional theatre-making.

The show was directed by Head of Drama and Theatre Studies Nicola Edwards-Cotton who was assisted by Megan Smith.

Adam Neild (15) impressed directors from the National Theatre – who watched the performance in March – with his ability, maturity and talent as Musical Director of the show.

Nicola said: “I am very proud of the 42 strong cast who have worked tirelessly in producing a very high calibre and praiseworthy show.

“I thought it would be a really big challenge for our students, it wasn’t the easy option when we were deciding which musical to do, but the students rose to the challenge and they have pulled it off.”

Bedbug – written by the late Snoo Wilson with music composed by Guy Pratt and Gary Kemp – is a musical based on Vladimir Mayakovsky’s 1929 satire on the distrust of authority within the Soviet Union.

National Theatre Connections give young people experience of professional theatre-making that mirrors that of a company producing a new play in any theatre in the country.

Youngsters create marketing campaigns, design sets and costumes, operate lighting and sound boards and manage their performances.

Tickets for Bedbug are available from the Lowry and are priced at £3 and £5.