Arts
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Henley
Performing Arts: News 2007
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TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR 'WE WILL ROCK YOU"
Tickets for the college’s Christmas production are now on sale and demand is expected to be high.
“We Will Rock You”, now in its sixth year in London’s West End, has granted permission to schools and colleges to present their own versions as part of the schoolswewillrockyou.com experiment. The college is very proud to be one of the college’s granted permission to perform the show and hopes audiences will flock to Rotherfield Hall this December.
The show tells the story of a future where real music is illegal and the GlobalSoft Corporation run the world. Against this Orwellian backdrop, a small band of freedom fighters – The Bohemians – search for the lost Rhapsody. When Galileo Figaro and Scaramouche, two mixed up teenagers, are thrown into the mix anything can happen. Part comedy, part social satire “We Will Rock You” is bursting with energy and tells its story through the writing of Ben Elton and the fabulous songs of Queen.
The production opens on Wednesday 12th December and runs until Saturday 15th. Performances are nightly at 7.30pm and tickets are priced £8 / £7 (concs). There will be matinees on the 12th and 15th at 2pm at the reduced price of £6.
There will also be a special Preview performance open to the public on Tuesday 11th. Tickets for this sneak preview are all one price, £6.00.
Tickets are available from the Box Office on (01491) 579988 or in person from the Henley College reception or Music World, Hart Street, Henley on Thames.
TICKETS ON SALE FOR FINAL DRAMA PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR
The college’s last production – “Playing for Time” by Arthur Miller - played for four packed nights, selling out each performance almost a week before opening night. The Henley Standard Arts critic wrote “Once again, the company proves itself one of the most talented working in the Oxfordshire area and I am certain they could teach a lot of professional companies a thing or two about giving their audiences an unforgettable night at the theatre.”
With this in mind, it is probably advisable to book now for the final drama production of the year – “CUBA” by Liz Lochhead. The show will be performed by the second year BND students and be their graduating piece from the college. The same cast were responsible for last year’s successful play “The Visit”.
Set against the backdrop of the Cuban missile crisis, the play runs from 14 – 17 June at Norden Farm Arts Centre, Maidenhead. Tickets are on sale now from www.nordenfarm.org or by ringing the Box Office on 01628 788997.
TICKETS ON SALE NOW FOR NEXT COLLEGE PRODUCTION
The Henley Standard described the work of The Completely Cuckoo Theatre Company as “among the best work being produced by any theatre company in Oxfordshire” and the National Theatre described the company as “very talented”. Well, the next production from the Company – which is made up exclusively of students studying the BND course in Performing Arts – is Arthur Miller’s play “PLAYING FOR TIME”.
Telling the true story of the women’s orchestra in Auschwitz, “Playing For Time” is a very moving piece of theatre that examines one of the darkest moments in human history. Says director Nic Saunders, “This is undoubtedly one of the best plays I’ve ever worked on and the students are doing a great job with it. Every one involved is committed to making this the best it can be and we all feel very humbled by the story we’re telling. Fania Fenelon and the women’s orchestra really existed, so we’re re-creating a little piece of history, maybe a little piece that has been forgotten when one thinks of all the stories associated with Auschwitz. 
This is a very human story and every one will be able to find something in it to relate to, it’s not solely about life in the camps, but about the human spirit and what people will do to survive when they have to. It’s gripping, powerful stuff and a story that everyone should know. Some things need to be remembered, if only to prevent them from ever being able to happen again.”
The play opens on 22nd March and runs for four nights at Norden Farm Centre for The Arts in Maidenhead. More information can be found at www.nordenfarm.org and tickets are now on sale priced £8 / £6 (concs). Early booking is advised as previous productions have sold out.
HOLLYOAKS ACTRESSES ANSWER STUDENT QUESTIONS
Sarah Jane Buckley and Caroline Kennedy, two actresses perhaps best known for their roles as mums in Channel 4’s ‘Hollyoaks’, came to the college last week to answer questions from the BND students. Quizzed about everything from what speeches are best for auditions to what agents look for, the students got a very valuable chance to chat with working professionals. The BTEC course is a vocational course and it is always good to have an opportunity to relate the students studies with the real working environment.
STUDENTS VISIT IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM
Research is one of the most important jobs an actor undertakes in their preparation for a role. With that in mind, the first year BND students recently visited the Imperial War Museum in London to take a first hand look at the Holocaust Exhibition. Although quite a difficult exhibit to walk around due to the upsetting nature of the subject, all were agreed on the value of the visit.
"Playing For Time", the first year play, opens in March.
The First Year National Diploma students recently spent three days at Disney Land, Paris. This now annual trip gives students a very privileged back stage glimpse at one of the World’s premiere entertainment venues.
This year students saw the all new “Legend of The Lion King” show, as well as traditional favourites “Buffallo Bill’s Wild West Show” and “The Stunt Spectacular”. Time in the park and watching the shows is al underpinned by a series of seminars with Disney cast and crew members who explain to students just what is needed to work in such an environment. Students Fern, Morgana and Holly were so keen to work in the park that, as the picture shows, they wasted no time in taking part themselves as part of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Band.
