College Pantomime – Aladdin

Performing Arts student James Connolly in character as one of the Dames

National Diploma Performing Arts students at Hopwood Hall are pulling back the curtain on this year’s college pantomime, Aladdin.

Students from the Theatrical amp; Media Make-Up course offered to lend a helping hand and do the cast’s spectacular stage make-up for each of the six shows. Graphics students also got involved designing the programmes, tickets and posters, and Photography students will be taking the official photos.  

Performing Arts tutor Paul Jones, who wrote the Panto said: “The students are all first years and only started college 12 weeks ago. Aladdin is their first project and they have all worked very hard in rehearsals. The make-up girls have been researching designs for each character and practicing on models since October. The most elaborate challenge for them was perhaps the Dames and the Genie. The standard of work is very high and the students are looking forward to performing to an audience and showcasing their excellent skills in theatrical make-up.”

The students will perform in the college hall at the Rochdale campus over a three day period, (11, 12 and 13 December) with tickets selling out within a few days of going on sale. Pupils from Falinge Park High School have been invited to come along on Tuesday 12 December to see a matinee performance of the show.  

In the New Year, the Media Make-Up girls will put the professional techniques used in Aladdin into practice once more as they go behind the scenes at the Opera House in Manchester, assisting the professional make-up artists of hit musical Starlight Express.