If they hadn’t heard ‘he’s behind you’ before, college students probably have now.
More than 90 students at West Cheshire College studying acting and technical theatre worked together to put on 14 fun-filled and hilarious performances of the pantomime Aladdin.
The students, who were split into two groups, performed the shows to packed out audiences at the college’s Ellesmere Port campus.
Joanne Richards, 19, from Ellesmere Port, who is studying performing arts shared the role of the Genie with fellow student Olivia Newton.
She said: “Previously I’ve always been involved in more serious performances and roles so to have a lead role in a pantomime was really great fun.
“The Genie is very extravagant so it was a great opportunity to have fun with the role and let loose.
“Although it was really stressful it was great to be able to share the role with Olivia and help each other develop the character.
“We had an amazing time and one of my highlights was singing Robbie Williams’ Let me Entertain You.
“The feedback from the audiences was amazing and it made all our hard work worthwhile.”
Joanne finishes her course at the college this year and hopes to use her experiences and love of the theatre to open her own youth theatre in the future.
Sophie O’Keefe, 20, who is also studying performing arts and shared the role of Aladdin with Nicola Wheeler, said: “We were split into two groups, one group performing the first seven shows and the second group performing the final seven.
“It really helped to have somebody else to work with on the role so we could share ideas and support each other.
“It was really nerve-racking but the reaction from the audience, particularly the younger children, was great.
“I’ve loved studying at West Cheshire College and when I finish this year I’m hoping to study performing arts at university.”
Paul Moss, programme leader of performing arts, added: “It was a fantastic performance by all the students, a great team effort by everyone and I was immensely proud of them all.
“We are proud to deliver such high quality, professional performances throughout the year and it’s a great opportunity for our emerging and talented actors to hone their craft.”
Year 1 acting students at the college will be the next to step into the limelight from March 21 to 24 at 7pm with a collection of Victorian horror novels turned into performance including ‘Frankenstein’, ‘Dracula’, ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ and ‘The Picture of Dorian Grey’.
