Performing Arts students tour Rochdale schools

Cast of The Theatre for Children

14 Performing Arts students from Hopwood Hall College are currently touring their children’s theatre production around Middleton and Rochdale.

The first year students devised the ‘Theatre for Children’ production themselves and have based it on the History curriculum of the Tudors.

The focus of the show is Henry VIII and his 6 wives. The students had to research the key dates and characters to write a full script and poems to tell the story of how and why Henry VIII married so many times!

They rehearsed and worked hard developing the piece before perfecting it and performing it to various primary schools and SEN schools within Middleton and Rochdale.

They travelled around the borough to perform for the youngsters, free of charge. Along with their production, they also created a fun workshop and quiz to encourage audience interaction with the children.

The schools they have performed at include: Elm wood Primary school – Middleton, Redwood High School – Rochdale, Parkfield Primary School – Middleton, Sandbrook Park Primary school – Rochdale and Newlands Primary School – Middleton.

The ‘Theatre for Children’ unit is part of their BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting) and the marks will go towards their first year grades and towards their final Diploma grade.

This is the last project they will do before they progress to the second year at the College.

Tutor Amanda Milton said: “I am really pleased with my students’ work. They have put so much effort into this project and have performed really well to such varied audiences”.